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23  WEST  MAIN  STRiET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MS80 

(716)  •72-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

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CIHIVl/ICIVIH 
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Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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Library  Division 

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filmaga. 


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or  Illustratad  imprassion. 


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paplar  aat  ImprimAa  sont  filmis  mn  commandant 
par  la  pramiar  plat  at  mn  tarminant  soit  par  la 
darrviira  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'impraaaion  ou  d'illustratlon.  soit  par  la  sacond 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  las  autraa  axamplalras 
originaux  sont  filmis  an  commandant  par  la 
pramiAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'imprassion  ou  d'illustration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  teila 
amprainta. 


Tha  last  racordad  frama  on  aach  microficha 
shall  contain  tha  symbol  ^^^  (maaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  symbol  V  (maaning  "END"), 
whichavar  applias. 


Un  das  symbolas  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
darniAra  imaga  da  chaqua  microficha.  salon  la 
cas:  la  symbols  — ►  signifia  "A  SUIVRE '.  la 
symbola  y  signifia  "FIN". 


Maps,  platas,  charts,  etc.,  may  ba  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  T'  a  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  caites.  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmts  k  des  taux  de  rAduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seui  clichA.  il  est  film*  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite. 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  ie  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Las  diagrammas  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

Fro«i  an  Ambrotype  by  E.  F.  Moore,  WelUburg. 


*  : 


<^ 


V 


THE 


LIFE  AND  TIMES 

OP 

PATRICK   GASS, 

NOW  SOLE  SURVIVOR 

pp    THE    OVERLAND    EXPEDITION    TO    THE    PACIPIC, 
UNDER   LEWIS    AND    CLARK,    IN    1804-5-6; 

ALSO, 

▲    SOLDIER   IN  THE   WAR   WITH    GREAT  BRITAIN,    FROM 
1812  TO  1815,    AND   A   PARTICIPANT   IN    THE 

BATTLE  OF  LUNDY'S  LANE. 

TOGETHER   WITl^ 

GASS'  JOURNAL  OF  THE  EXPEDITION  CONDENSED; 

AND 

SKETCHES   OP   SOME   EVENTS    OCCURRING   DURING   THE 

LAST  CENTURY  IN  THE  UPPER  OHIO  COUNTRY, 

PIOGRAIHIES,   REMINISCENCES,  ETC. 


B  Y  J.  G.   JACOB. 


JACOB  <k  SMITH, 

I^OBLIUHBRI  AND  PRINTERS,  WBLLRBURO,  TA. 

185». 


ipp'iiiliJiJHt|ili|iU  1"" 


T\(S!) 


I 


ill 


Entered  accordiupj  to  Art 'of  Ooaqr^sp,  tn  the  year  18»6,  by 

J.  G.  JACOB    &  J.  A.  SMITH, 
lu  tho  Clerk 'b  Office  of  tlio  DiKtrict  Conrtof  the  United  States, 
f(.r  tlic  Wo«lcrn  District  of  Virginia. 


PREFACE; 


The  design  of  prepariilg  the  following  pages,  was 
conceived  during  a  period  of  leisure,  and  originally 
contemplated  only  a  series  of  sketches  for  a  weekly 
newspaper;  but  as  the  subj  :ct  grew  under  the  hand  of 
the  author,  th.o  original  design  was  abandoned  rind  tho" 
work  assumed  its  present  forni.  For  the  sin  of  adding 
another  to  the  innumerable  books,  we  have  no  other 
apology  to  offer.  A  curiosity  was  expressed  to  Lavo 
on  record  the  adventures  of  its  hero,  and  his  eveiltful 
career  promised  material  for  an  interesting  story. 

We  have  done  the  best  possible  with  our  materials. 
If  there  be  merit  in  the  work,  the  reader  will  not  be 
slow  to  discern  it;  if  there  be  none,  the  public  will  not 
be  backward  about  demonstrating  that  fact. 

The  biography  of  its  citizens  is  the  history  of  a  na- 
tion; and  we  trust  that  the  reputation  of  history  will 
not  suflfer  from  one  departurei  in  permitting  the  humble 
biography  of  a  hero  of  the  ranks,  to  stand  by  the  side 
of  those*  of  the  great  and  titled,  who  have  been  by  com- 
mon consent,  but  very  untruthfully,  held  up  as  the  ex- 
ponents and  exemplars  of  the  nation. 


31334 


ir 


PREFA  C 


Patiii'k  Cass,  \^  tlio  type  of  the  self  reliant,  adventu- 
rous American  ciii/.cn  and  soMier,  wlio  has  carried  the 
eagles  of  the  Republic  in  triumph  through  three  wars; 
and  planted  the  olivo  branch  on  the  highest  pinnacle 
df  the  tenlple^of  Peace. 

The  concluding  pages  of  our  won:  will  we  hope,  prove 
acceptable  to  a  numerous  class  to  whom  the  material 
there  used  is  no  novelty,  but  who  may  perhaps  be  grat- 
ified in  having  it  systematically  and  conveniently  ar- 
langcd.  It,  of  course  does  not  pretend  to  bo  a  full  his- 
tory of  the  events  of  the  last  eighty  years-;  but  as  far  as 
it  goes,  will  we  think,  be  found  reliable;  and  may  serve 
to  assist  some  future  historian.  We  have  to  regret  that 
our  allotted  space  is  too  small  to  allow  the  insertion  of 
more  reminiscences,  or  to  permit  as  much  detail  as  wo 
could  desire,  on  the  subjects  we  have  attempted.  Sev- 
era  dcetches,  and  other  material,  the  result  of  consid- 
erable research,  have  been  thus  omitted,  while  others 
have  been  so  abreviatcd  as  to  be  unsatisfactory.  We 
had  designed  giving  a  detail  of  the  Whiskey  Insurrec- 
tion, also  a  history  of  the  settlenient  of  Wellsburg 
and  Wheeling,  an  account  of  the  Railroad  Era,  and 
various  other  matters  for  which  we  had  the  material 
provided,  but  inexorable  necessity  forbade  it. 

Although  great  care  has  been  observed,  it  is  not  im- 
probable also  that  some  inacuracies  may  be  found.  Au- 
thorities thcniBelves,  although  covitemporary*  often  dif- 
fer; hence,  it  is  the  more  difficult  for  subsequent  wri- 


!•  n  K  r  A  c  B  . 
tors  to  ,,e  ex.et.     Should  .l,is  little  volume  bo  rccoiv  J 
iv.th  favor,  a  subsequent  publication  ™„y  correct  7t^ 
errors  and  amplify  its  details. 

To  those  who  have  kindly  contributed  nmtter  or  oth 
erwise  assisted  us,  we  retnm  „,      • 
ments.  "'' ^' '"'"""  °""»«ere  acknowledge- 

With  the,«,  prefatory  remarks,  the  book  is  submit- 
ted  to  a  generous  public. 

^  THE  AUTHOR 

Wellsburg,  January,  1859. 


CONTENTS. 


( 


I 


Boyhood  and  Youth,               «             «             -  Paoe  ll 

JMoviii^  to  tho  Wo.st,        -             •             •  -     14 

Wellshurg  ill  171)0,                -             -             -  11) 

Class'  Sorvicos  on  Yellow  Trook,  -             -  -     21 

Kccolloctions  of  Lowis  \Vet/el,           -              •*  22 

Khitboiitmon,        -             -             -             -  -     24 

Thomas  and  Solomon  Eniy,               -             -  *     26 

Jiune.s  Bnchunan,  Senior  and  Junior,         -  -     29 

Enlistment  in  tho  b'rench  War,         -             -  31 

Overland  Joi:u\i:v  to  the  Pacific — Chap.  II. 

Death  of  Sergeant  Floyd,               -             -  -     42 

Eneanipment  at  Fort  Mandan,            -             .  57 

Sickness  of  tho  Party,       -             -             -  -     86 

Flathead  Indians,                    -              -             -  $% 

The  Paeifio  in  sight,           -             -             -  -     93 

J^oparture  for  home,               .             -             _  IQO 

Arrival  of  the  party  at  St.  Louis,  -           -  -  106 

Travel  through  tho  States,     -              -             -  IQg 

Lewis  and  Clark — subsequent  history,      -  -  110 

Pacific  Kail  road,             -              -              -  -       114 
Mormons — Freraonts'  and  Gunnison's  disasters,      115 

Beckwith's  Pass,               -             -             -  -  118 
Distances  and  Route  traveled  l-y  Lewis  &  Clarke,     119 

Western  Indians — their  present  condition,  -  120 

Troubles  in  Kansas,             _             -             -  135 

Publication  of  Gass's  Journal,     -             -  -  140 
The  War  of  1812.— Chap.  III. 

Right  of  Search  and  Impressment,             -  -  146 

Gass  enlists   for  the  war,      -             -             -  147 

Trip  from  Kaskaskia  to  Pittsburg,             •  -  149 

Niagara  Campaign,                -             *            •  151 


CONTKNTB 


Vtl 


7 
)1 


Battle  of  Chippewa,  ....  151 

"       QuooiLstown,             -             -  -           15fi 

*'       Luiuly's  Lane,                 -.            -  -  ir>9 

Investment  of  Fort  Frio,         -             .  -          lO'J 

Bombardment  ami  attack  of  Fort  Frio,      -  -   163 

Sortie  from  Fort  J^^rie,          .             -  -          167 

llcminiscences  of  Campaign,           -             •  •  170 

Discliarge  frcm  service,           -              -  -            175 

Courtship  and  Marriage,                 -             -  -    177 

CotBj)ensati«>n  from  Cjovcrnmcnt,         -  -         179 

Tension  Laws,                    -             -             -  -  180 

Old  Soldiers  Convention,        -             -  -         184 

President  JMerce's  Address,            -             -  -  187 

Ilcsolutions  of  the  Convention,             -  -         188 

Conclusion  of  Biography,              _             -  -  I93 

Civil  History — Part  II. 
The  Upper  Ohio-  -French  and  English  Pretensions,  105 

Washington's  First  Expedition,                -  -  195 

First  English  Settlement,                      •  -         197 

Washington's  Second  Expedition,             -  -  198 

Washington's  Capitulation,                 -  •          iiOO 

The  Ohio  Indians,         -             -                 -  203 

Braddock's  Expedition — Defeat  and  Death,  211 

Pontiac's  War— Col.  Bociuct,         -  -           222 

William  Pitt,        -                -                -  224 

Forbes'  Expedition  against  Fort  Duquesnc,  225 

Grant's  Defeat — Fall  of  Fort  Duquesne,  -         225 

Early  Boundary  Disputes,                         -  227 

Pennsylvania  and  .Virginia  State  line,  -         228 

Patents — Location — Litigation,                -  229 

Lord  Dunmore — Col.  Connelly,           -  -         230 

Cessation  of  the  Dispute,              -            •  231 

Final  Settlement,             -                -  -         232 

The  Panhandle,         -                -          .      .  '234 

West  Liberty  as  a  Seat  of  Justice,  -         236 

Early  Settler's  Names — Enterprise,          -  340 

Weighty  Characters,             -             -  -         244 
Early  Religious  Inclinations — Presbyterianism,       24^ 


▼m 


CONTEMTI  . 


Origin  of  Canonsbiirg  and  Washington    Colleges,  246 

liedstono  Presbytery,  -  .  - 

Origin  of  Camp   Meetings — Methodism, 

Lorenzo   Dow,  •  -  •  • 

Kev.  James   Finley,  -  -  - 

Stone  Meeting  House  on  Short  Creek, 

Baptist  Church, 

Episcopal  Church — Dr.  Doddridge, 

Schools  and  Colleges,         -  -  - 

Alexander  Campbell,  •  • 

Bethany  College,  ... 

West  Liberty  Academy. — Wellsburg  Seminary, 

Free  Schools,  -  ,  ,. 

National   Road,  •  -  • 

Philip   Doddridge,  •  • 

Wellsburg  and  Washington  Turnpike, 

The  Whiskey  Insurrection, 

Adam  Poo  and  Big  Foot,     -       r 


247 
248 
250 
251 
252 
253 
254 
258 
261 
263 
266 
267 
208 
273 
275 
277 
279 


LIFE    AND  TIMKS 


OF 


PATRICK   GASS. 


Patrick  (iahp  the  subject  of  our  memoir,  is  a  hero 
in  humble  life.  He  canuot  trace  his  descent  ikown  a 
long  line  of  illustrious  ancestors  nor  has  his  iinpTcfcencl- 
ini;  name  been  ennobled  bv  courtlv  favor,  or  bv  bril- 
liaut  deeds  in  diplomacy  or  war;  yet  was  he  born  in 
stirring  times.  His  cradle  was  literally  rocked  ami<l 
the  storms  of  the  revolution  and  the  days  of  hi«  mun- 
hot>d  extend  through  a  most  eventful  era.  In  the 
events  of  his  day  he  has  performed  although  an  hunibW\ 
yet  a  not  unimportant  part,  and  perhaps,  as  well  de- 
serves a  niche  in  the  temple  of  fame  as  many  a  one  t<> 
whom  fortune  has  been  more  propitious.  But  it  was 
his  fate  to  serve,  rather  than  to  command;  and  as  the 
ways  of  the  world  will  have  it,  so  we  must  regard  hiiw 
in  his  subordinate  capacity,  much  as  we  might  wish  thai 
his  position  was,  for  our  purpose,  a  more  eonspkuouu 
one. 

He  first  saw  the  light,  June  12th,  1771,  at  FalHa^ 
Springs,  Cumberland  county,  near  what  is  now  Ciiaiu- 
bersburg,  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania.     At  thii 


10 


UVTs   A^Tb   TIME3 


date,  October,  1858,  lie  is  still  living,  a  liale,  lienrlr  (^Id 
man,  with  the  apparent  promise  of  many  years  of  lifo 
yet  to  come.  His  freedom  from  the  infirmities  of  an 
ago  80  advanced  is  not  the  least  remarkable  charaoto.r- 
ifitic  of  his  history.  It  cannot  be  attributed  to  extraor- 
dinary freedom  from  exposure  nor  to  e>tcessive  sobriety 
or  regularity  of  habits j  on  the  contrary,  the  reverse  aft- 
jKmrs  to  be  the  fact.  In  his  early  manhood,  he  cxjiosed 
himself  during  twenty  years  of  military  service,  to  all 
the  casual itics  of  the  soldier,  both  in  actual  service  and 
in  camp,  to  disease,  pi-ivation  and  danger  in  every  form: 
and  after  his  retirement  from  service  he  Was  addicted  to 
a  weakness  for  strong  drink,  which,  he  for  many  years, 
indulged  to  an  extent  that  few  men  could  have  borne 
with  impunity.  Yet,  through  all,  he  led  apparently,  a 
charmed  life  and  still  lives  a  ^i^onument  of  God's  mercy 
and  of  the  enduring  power  of  the  human  constitution. — 
Although  his  years  considerably  outnumber  thow  usu- 
ally allotted  to  man,  he  preserves  all  his  faeultii's  in  a 
remarkable  degree.  Physiologically  considered,  he  is* 
of  the  build  most  favorable  for  longevity.  In  stature, 
somewhat  low,  never  having  in  his  l>est  estate,  exeecvl- 
ed  five  feet  seven,  stontly  and  compactly  built,  broad- 
chested  and  heavy  limbed,  yet  lean,  sprightly  and  quick 
of  motion,  his  physique  exhibits  the  amplest  and  mont 
compact  developeinent  of  vital  force  of  which  the  hniiwi.n 
frame  is  capable.  Although  now,  somewhat  bowed  arvd 
slightly  crippled  with  the  rhenmatisra,  be  is  a  remark- 
ably alert  and  active  walker  and  can  make  the  four  niik)8 
from  his  residence  to  Wellsburg,  in  about  as  good  tinie 
ae  most  of  those  of  one  fourth  his  years.  Indeed,  lie 
prides  himself  upon  his  pedestrianisra  and  delights  to 
jibe  the  "pups,"  as  he  is  pleased  to  call  the  yonth  of 


OP   PATRICK    GASS. 


11 


tlicso  degenerate  times  upon  their  effeminacy  in  this  rcp- 
poct.  His  intellectual  development  is  good.  His  eye 
is  bright  and  lively,  his  mind  active  and  discriminating, 
Ills  memory  of  events  of  fifty  years  ago,  accurate  and 
reliable,  and  the  general  expression  of  his  countcnanoe 
intelligent  and  reflective.  He  is  naturally  a  man  of 
good  sound  sense,  very  observant,  and  disposed  to  turu 
hiii  observations  to  piactieal  account. 

He  seems  to  regard  the  retention  of  his  facultios  with 
«  warrantable  pride,  and  we  have  no  doubt  still  consid- 
t3TS  himself  competent  for  a  fair  lUy's  march.  Wo  have 
hoard  him  declare,  with  all  tlie  enthusiasm  of  a  conscript, 
his  readiness  to  shoulder  arms  again  in  the  service  of 
liis  country,  should  occasion  require  it,  and  have  no 
doubt  whatever  of  his  sincerity.  3lis  parentage  was 
Irish,  which  probably  accounts  for  his  patriotic  procliv- 
ities as  he  seems  to  inherit  the  hatred  of  British  domi- 
nation so  common  to  the  sons  of  the  Green  Isle,  and 
iwhich  appears  to  be  transmitted  by  hereditary  dostient. 

Of  his  boyhood  not  much  is  to  be  said  more  than  might 
be  said  of  the  boyhood  of  other  men.  After  several  re- 
moves on  the  part  of  liis  father,  a  notable  one  was  over 
the  8outh  Mountain  into  Marylanil,  in  1775,  just  at  the 
lime  that  the  revolutionary  contest  was  assuming  tli# 
stage  of  a  civil  war.  There  is  no  doubt  but  that  the 
3es.sons  of  abhorrence  to  British  tyranny,  early  and  in- 
sensibly impressed  u])on  his  mindat'tliis  time,  adlrrtnl 
to  him  thi-ough  life  awd  exerted  an  i"nfluence  on  his  af- 
ter career.  From  1777  to  80,  he  resided  with  a  grand- 
father ostensibly  for  the  purpose  of  attending  school, 
but  the  facilities  of  that  day,  must  have  been  extroniely 
5)00r,  for  he  informs  us  that  the  total  efi'ective  annamt  of 
iiis  school  education  extending  to  reading,  writing  ai.'J 


1    > 


12 


Life  and  times 


cyphering,  was  acqiiiretl  in  19  days,  and  that,  after  he 
had  come  to  the  years  of  manhood.  "We  liave  heard 
him  regret  that  his  early  education  had  not  been  better, 
for  he  seems  in  his  old  days  to  entertain  the  idea  that 
lie  might,  with  his  opportunity  and  mental  and  bodily 
energy,  have  attained  an  eminence  among  the  great  men 
of  the  nation.  However,  his  case  was  no  anomaly  in 
his  day,  the  means  of  acquiring  an  education  being 
extremely  limited  and  very  few  of  his  cotemporaries  be- 
ing further  advanced  than  the  commonest  rudimcntB  of 
English  learning.  He,  however,  like  them  took  his 
Irssons  from  men  and  things  and  made  up  for  lack  of 
book  learning,  by  close  observation  and  shrewd  rea- 
soning. 

His  next  recorded  move  was  in  1780,  rendered  mem- 
orable by  the  hard  winter  of  that  year,  being  the  most 
severe  almost  in  the  history  of  this  country.  At  tliis 
time  the  prospects  of  the  American  cause  seemed  almost 
hopeless,  and  it  may  well  be  called  the  dark  day  of  the 
revolution.  Tlie  worn  army  of  Washington  was  hut- 
ted among  the  short  hills  of  Morristown,  famishing 
some  times  for  want  of  food,  often  naked  and  cold,  tlm- 
continental  currency  had  depreciated  until  $40,  would 
scarcely  buy  a  bushel  of  corn;  the  commissariat  was  sad- 
ly deranged,  a  general  gloom  of  despair  settled  over  the 
liopes  of  the  Patriots,  and  as  if  Providence,  too,  had 
combined  with  their  enemies,  the  winter  of  this  year  set 
in  with  a  severity  that  was  entirely  unprecedentetL  The 
harbor  of  New  York  was  frozen  up  and  the  British  fl«?t 
stationed  there  to  protect  it  from  the  Americans,  wa« 
pondered  useless,  so  that  Kniphausen  debarked  the  ^U- 
ors  and  marines,  and  organizing  them  into  land  fprooe, 
prepared  them  to  defend  the  city  against  a  contempla 


m 


OF  TATIUCK    OASS. 


ficd  attack  by  Washington,  over  the  frozen  waters  of  tlio 
bay.  The  Schuylkill  at  Philadelphia,  was  frozen  so  as 
to  bear  the  heaviest  artillery  and  wagons.  The  sufl'er- 
ing  of  the  American  .soldiery  was  intense.  And  not 
only  they  suftered  for  want  of  the  common  necessarios 
of  life,  but  the  jiopulation  of  the  Jerseys  and  of  Eastern 
Pennsylvania,  the  debatable  ground  between  the  Britisli 
and  Americans,  harrassed  and  foraged  over  and  over 
again  by  both  parties  were  also  impoverished  and  re- 
duced to  want.  This  state  of  affairs  was  not  confined 
to  the  'debatable  ground'  but  extended  throughont  the 
whole  seaboard,  where  was  the  theatre  of  war.  It  in- 
duced emigration  toward  the  back  country  whence,  whiie 
the  family  was  secure  from  disturbance,  the  yeomen 
could  sally  forth  to  the  defence  of  the  country.  Con- 
siderations of  this  kind  intlucnced  the  elder  Gass,  with 
many  others,  to  move  toward  the  west,  and  no  doubt 
the  contrast  between  the  pitiable  condition  of  the  patriot 
army  and  the  well  fed  and  well  housed  hirelings  of  the 
Gtiemy,  had  its  effect  upon  the  plastic  mind  of  the  boy 
of  nine  years  of  age  as  well  as  upon  others,  to  be  devel- 
oped in  after  years.  There  is  no  doubt  but  that  one  ef- 
fect of  the  harassing  nature  of  the  war  of  the  revolu- 
tion, was  to  diffuse  population  and  thus  hasten  the  set- 
tlement of  the  country,  and  thus  under  the  blessing  of 
Providence  proved  the  cause  of  its  remarkable  develop- 
ment 

Accordingly  in  1782,  his  father  moved  the  family  to 
the  "west"  then  located  on  the  further  side  of  the  Alle- 
gheny mountains,  but  since  removed,  year  by  year,  un- 
til the  name  **west"  has  now  become  a  phrase  of  very 
indefinite  meaning.  They  encountered  great  hardships 
«u  the  road,  of  which  the  following  graphic  reminis- 


I 


n 


\ 


,!| 


14 


LIFE    AND    IIMES 


(XJiico  ttikcii  from  the  pages  of  "Old  RctlKtono,"  will  eon  - 
vey  au  idea.  "My  father's  family,"  says  the  author, 'was 
Olio  of  twenty  that  emigrated  from  Carlisle,  and  tho 
neighboring  countiy,  to  Western  Pennsylvania,  in  the 
spring  of  1784.  (Xir  arran.gements  for  the  journey, 
would,  with  littlo  variation  be  descriptive  of  those  of 
the  wholo  caravan.  Our  family  consisted  of  my  fath- 
er, mother,  and  three  children,  (the  oldest  one  five,  tin," 
youngest  less  than  one  year  old,)  and  a  bound  boy  of 
fotirtccn.  '^Cho  road  to  be  tmvolled  in  crossing  the  moun- 
tains was  scarcely,  if  at  all,  practicable  for  wagODS. — 
Pack-horses  wci*c  tho  only  nteans  of  transportation  then, 
aaid  for  years  after.  We  were  provided  with  three  hor- 
se*, one  of  which  my  mother  rode,  carrying  her  infant, 
willi  all  the  table  furniture  and  cooking  utensils.  On 
an(Aher  were  packed  tho  stores  of  provisions,  the  plough 
irons,  and  other  agricultural  tools.  Tho  third  horso 
was  rigged  out  with  a  pack-saddle,  and  two  largo  creels 
made  of  hickory  withes,  in  tho  fashion  of  a  crate,  ono 
over  each  side,  in  which  were  stowed  tho  beds  and  bea- 
ding, and  tho  wearing  apparel  of  tho  family.  In  tho 
centre  of  these  creels  there  was  an  aperture  prepared  for 
mysdf  and  sistor;  and  tho  top  was  well  secured  by  la- 
cing, to  keep  us  in  our  places,  'so  that  only  our  heads 
appeared  above.  Each  family  was  supplied  with  one  or 
more  cows,  which  was  an  indispensable  provision  for 
the  journey.  Tlieir  milk  furnished  tho  morning  a:*-^ 
evening  meal  for  tho  children,  and  the  surplus  was  car- 
ried in  canteens  for  use  during  the  day. 

Thus  equipped,  tho  company  sot  out  on  their  journey. 
Many  c"  tho  men  being  unacquainted  with  the  manage- 
ment of  horses,  or  the  business  of  packirg,  littlo  pro- 
gress was  made,  the  first  day  or  two.     When  the  cara- 


OP   PATRICK    GA83. 


15 


car- 


hney. 
lage- 
Jpro- 
ira- 


van  reached  tho  mountains,  the  road  was  found  to  he 
hardly  passable  for  loaded  horses.  In  many  places,  the 
path  lay  along  the  edge  of  a  precipice,  where,  if  the 
horse  had  stumbled  or  lost  his  balance,  he  would  have 
been  precipitated  several  hundred  feet  below.  Tlu)  path 
was  crossed  by  many  streams,  raised  by  the  melting 
snow  and  spring  rains,  and  running  with  rapid  current 
In  deep  ravines.  Most  of  these  had  to  be  fordcfl,  »n 
there  were  no  bridges  and  but  few  ferries.  For  many 
Hncccssive  days,  hair-breadth  escapes  were  continually 
occurring;  sometimes,  horses  falling;  at  other  timen, 
c-arried  away  by  the  current,  and  the  women  and  chil- 
dren .vith  difficulty  saved  from  drowning.  Sometimes, 
in  ascending  steep  acclivities,  the  lashing  of  the  croels 
would  give  way,  and  both  children  and  creels  tumble  U* 
tho  ground,  and  roll  down  the  steep,  until  arrested  by 
some  traveller  of  tho  company.  In  crossing  streams  or 
passing  places  of  more  than  ordinary  difficulty  in  tla^ 
road,  mothers  were  often  separated  from  some  of  tlieir 
cliildreu  for  many  hours. 

The  journey  was  made  in  April,  when  the  nights  wero 
cold.  The  men  who  had  been  inured  to  the  hardships 
of  war,  could  with  cheerfulness  endure  the  fatigues  of 
tho  journey.  It  Avas  the  mothers  who  suffered;  tltey 
could  not,  after  the  toils  of  the  day,  enjoy  the  rest  they 
so  much  needed  at  night;  the  wants  of  their  suffering 
children  must  be  attended  to.  After  preparing  tlieir 
aimple  meal,  they  lay  down,  with  scanty  covering,  in  ;i 
miserable  cabin,  or,  as  it  sometimes  happened,  in  tlie 
open  air,  and  often,  unrefreshed,  were  obliged  to  ri^tj 
early,  to  encounter  the  fatigues  and  dangers  of  another 
da  v. 

V 

As  the  comoany  approached  the  MonongaheLi,  they 


16 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


boLcan  to  separate.  Some  settled  down  near  to  friends 
and  acquaintances  who  had  preceded  them.  About  half 
of  the  company  crossed  the  Monongahela,  and  settled 
on  Chartier's  creek,  a  few  miles  south  of  Pittsburgh,  in 
a  hillv  countrv,  well  watered  and  well  timbered.  Set- 
tiers'  rijjrhts  to  land  were  obtained  on  verv  easy  terms. 
"My  father  exchanged  one  of  his  horses  for  a  tract,  (  boun- 
•led  by  certain  brooks  and  marked  trees, )  whicli  was 
tonnd,  on  being  surveyed  several  years  aftxir,  to  con- 
tain about  200  acres. 

The  new-comers  aided  each  other  in  building  cabin?, 
which  were  made  of  round  logs,  with  a  slight  covering 
0*'  clapboards.  The  building  of  chimneys  and  laying 
<\{  lioors  were  postponed  to  a  future  day.  A.s  poon  a» 
the  families  were  all  under  shelter,  the  timber  was  gir- 
dled, and  the  necessary  clearing  made  for  planting  corn, 
j>otatoes,  and  a  sntall  patch  of  flax.  Some  of  the  par- 
ty were  despatched  for  seed.  Corn  was  obtained  at 
ritt*<burgh;  but  potatoes  could  not  be  procured  short  of 
Ligonler  valley,  distant  three  days'  journey.  The  sea- 
son was  favorable  for  clearing;  and,  by  unremitting 
laltor,  often  continued  through  a  part  of  the  night,  tiro 
women  laboring  with  their  husbands  in  burning  brush 
and  logs,  their  planting  was  seasonably  secured.  But, 
while  families  and  neighbors  were  cheering  each  other 
<A\  with  the  prospect  of  an  abundant  crop,  one  of  tlik> 
settlements  was  attacked  by  the  Indians,  and  all  of  them 
were  thrown  into  the  greatest  alarm.  This  was  a  ca- 
lamity which  had  not  been  anticipated.  It  had  been 
(■(Wilidontly  believed  that  peace  with  Great  Britain  would 
t<ccure  peace  with  her  Indian  allies.  The  very  name  of 
Indian  chilled  the  blood  of  the  late  emigrants;  but  there 
wa^<  no  retreat.     If  they  desired  to  recross  the  moun- 


OF    PATRiriv    i.ASS. 


17 


tains,  they  had  not  tho  provisions  or  means,  ami  liail 
nothing  but  suftoringto  oxpcct,  should  they  regain  thfir 
former  homes.     Tliey  resolved  to  stay. 

The  frontier  settlements  were  kept  in  continual  alarm. 
Murders  were  frequent,  ami  many  were  taken  prisoners. 
Tliese  were  more  generally  children,  who  were  taken  t<> 
Detroit,  (wliich,  in  viohition  of  the  treaty,  continuetl 
to  be  occupied  by  the  Britisli,)  wiiere  tiicy  were  sold. 
The  attacks  of  the  Indians  were  not  conlined  to  the  ex- 
treme frontier.  They  often  penetrated  tlie  settk^mcnt.H 
several  miles,  especially  wlien  the  stealing  of  horses  was 
a  part  of  their  object.  Their  depredation  elfected,  they 
retreated  precij)itately  across  the  (,)]iio.  The  settlers 
for  many  miles  from  the  Oliio,  during  six  monllis  of 
tlie  year,  lived  in  daily  fear  of  the  [udians.  Block  hou- 
ses were  provided  in  overal  neighborhoods  for  the  pro- 
tection of  tlie  women  and  children,  ^diile  tho  men  car- 
ried on  their  farming  operations,  some  standing  guar<l 
while  the  others  labored.  The  frecpieut  calls  on  tin- 
settlers  to  pursue  marauding  parties,  or  perforin  tours 
•if  militia  duty,  greatly  interuptod  their  attentio"  fco 
their  crops  and  families,  and  increased  the  anxieties  an<:l 
sufferings  of  tho  women.  The  general  government 
could  grant  no  relief.  Thev  had  neither  monev  or 
credit.  Indeed;  there  was  little  but  tho  name  in  tUi 
old  confederation.  The  State  of  Pennsylvania  was  nn- 
able  to  keep  up  a  military  force  for  the  defence  of  lirr 
frontier.  She  had  generously  exhausted  her  resonnxis 
in  the  struggle  for  national  independence.  Her  Legis- 
lature however,  passed  an  act  granting  a  bounty  of  orw? 
hundred  dollars  on  Indian  scalps.  But  an  incident  (k*- 
curred  which  led  to  the  repeal  of  this  law  before  tln^ 
termination  of  the  war." 


18 


LIFE    AND   TIMES 


i  !! 


■\ 


!:i 


i! 


Tlie  Glass  fjiniily,  however,  rcacliotl  the  forks  of  Youf^li 
witliout  extraordinary  incident,  in  1784,  and  imiuedi- 
tttely  proceeded  to  locate  near  Uniontuwn,  then  called 
Bea^ontown.  Their  stay  liowovcr  was  but  short  at  IJcyi- 
sontown,  for  in  the  ensuing  year  they  again  pulled  up 
stakes  and  removed  their  household  altar  to  Catfish 
('iuiip,  where  Washington  now  stands.  CatHsh  at  tliat 
day  was  a  hold  stream  of  many  times  its  present  di- 
mejisious,  and  indeed,  the  diminution  of  the  streams 
in  one  of  the  most  singular  incidents  conected  with  tlu) 
settlement  of  this  country.  The  stream  in  question, 
ha,s  dwindled  from  a  powerful  stream  to  an  insignificant 
hi'ook,  and  we  have  before  us  an  interesting  instance, 
in  point,  pertaining  to  its  near  neighbor,  Churtiers,  on 
tlio  authority  of  Mrs.  Jane  C.  Patterson,  relict  of  Ilob- 
crt  Patterson,  who  died  near  Pittsburgh  iu  1858,  in 
her  80th  year.  Her  biography  as  published  in  tluj 
Pittsburgh  Advocate  and  Journal,  states:  "She  well 
remembered  the  building  by  her  father,  of  the  old  mill 
in  (Jauonsburg,  one  of  the  first  in  all  the  west,  and  to 
which  the  farmers  from  a  great  distance  around  brought 
tlicir  grain.  On  one  occasion,  advantage  was  taken  of 
a  high  stage  of  water  to  send^a  boat,  freighted  with  bar- 
rels of  tlour  almost  from  the  floor  of  the  mill  by  the  tor- 
tuous course  of  the  Chartiers,  at  that  time  unobstruc- 
t(xl  by  other  dams^  to  the  Ohio,  and  so  onward  to  New 
Orleans.^  The  clearing  up  of  the  country  for  more  than 
half  a  century,  may  possibly  account  for  the  present 
tlixead-like  appearance  of  the  stream,  which  certainly 
does  not  suggest  the  idea  that  Canonsburg  was  onco 
tho  head  of  navigation.** 

Catfish  took  its  title  from  being  the  head  quarters  of 
a  noted  Indian  chief  of  that  name.    His  ctibin  was  lo- 


i. 


OP   PArniCK    GA88. 


n 


cated  on  tlio  run  alxMit  wlicro  the  stoam  grist  mill  now 
staiKls.  Catfisli  Odinp,  was  also  prominent  in  early 
times  from  being  a  sort  of  half  way  houso  between  tho 
Monongaliela  and  the  Ohio.  A  regular  path  exisknl  iu 
tlioso  (lavs  from  Redstone  bv  the  waters  of  Buffalo  an<l 
Wheeling  creeks,  to  the  Ohio  at  Wellsburgand  \Vli(x;l- 
ing,  much  tiavelled  by  the  emigrants  as  well  as  by  the 
Indians,  and  as  Catfisli  was  about  24  miles  frf>m  eiilier 
river,  it  was  a  convenient  stopping  place,  and  became 
geiierallv  known  to  the  settlers  and  scouts  as  a  rendez- 
vous.  It  must  bo  borno  in  mind  that  tra^  illing  iri 
those  days  was  very  different  from  travelling  now. — 
Tlio  journey  from  eastern  Pennsylvania  to  Redstone  Old 
Fort,  in  1785,  was  fully  equal  iu  magnitude  to  a  trij) 
now-a-days,  to  Oregon  and  back.  Tho  intermediat*) 
country,  between  Redstone  and  tho  Ohio  was  not  only 
rugged  and  broken,  but  was  peculiarly  infested  with  In- 
dians. Tlie  roads,  where  roads  thero  were  any,  almost 
imiformly  followed  tho  highest  ridges,  so  as  to  avoid 
any  danger  of  a  surprise  that  might  occur  by  keeping 
along  the  ravines.  This  made  tho  traveling  safer  but 
much  more  difficult.  Tho  adventurer,  who  had  safely 
CffOssed  tho  Laurel  Hills,  passed  through  tho  "shades  of 
death'*  and  soon  tho  big  pines  and  deep  snows  of  tho 
mountains  and  finally  dared  tho  Indian  infested  wooiIh 
of  the  Ohio,  was  on  his  return  a  hero  of  no  ordinarv  re- 
nown.  From  Catfish  camp,  Patrick  directed  his  explo- 
rations into  tho  surrounding  country:  and  ho  gives  ns 
Ilia  impressions  of  Wollsburg  as  tho  site  appeared  to 
lum  in  1T90.  The  ground  was  swampy  in  parts  and 
covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  sycamore,  walnut,  su- 
gar and  wild  plum  trees.  Thero  was  at  that  day  but 
oao  building  to  bo  scon,  that  was  a  log  houso  on  tho 


20 


LIFK    AND    TIMKfl 


il 


ill       ; 


lower  oii'I  ol'  tlio  bottom  near  midway  tljcn,  between  tljo 
vfver  ftn<l  tlie  hills.  It  wji.s  built  and  many  years  oocu- 
j)'ied  by  Alexander  Wells,  and  in  1S58,  is  still  standing; 
■tu\i\  is  the  property  we  beliovo  of  Wm.  Daton.  It  luw 
Im'^mi  weatherboanled  and  a  largo  stone  chimney  sinoH 
Hwlded  to  it  on  the  outsiilo.  What  is  now  the  bar,  at  tlm 
tntMith  of  the  creek,  was  then  a  higli  bottom,  thickly  ami 
luxuriantly  covered  with  a  heavy  forest  growth,  and  tin* 
bottom  itself,  north  of  the  creek  was  much  wider  than 
«t  present;  hnndreds  of  acres  having  gone  into  the  riwr 
since  the  occnpation  of  the  conntry  by  the  whiti's,  In- 
dtvd  at  an  early  day,  serious  apprehensions  wore  tnter- 
tnined  that  the  entire  town  site  would  gradually  wour 
away:  and  about  the  year  181)0,  money  was  raised  by 
Lottery,  authoriscMJ  by  the  state,  to  the  amount  of  sonu* 
!!?'J'),0(»0,  to  build  walls  to  protect  the  river  banks.  'J'Iko 
privilege  was  sold  to  a  lottery  company,  antl  the  pro- 
•cosmIs  appropriated  to  the  construction  of  the  heavy  walls 
which  at  present  extend  along  the  front  of  tho  town. — 
Mr.  .lohn  (Jilchrist,  now  of  Wheeling,  was  one  of  thi^ 
contractors,  perhaps  the  principal  one,  and  the  work  was 
vimjdeted,  or  the  money  expended  about  the  year  18HG. 
The  walls  have  only  partially  answered  their  purpose, 
tlu»ugh  they  have  saved  the  banks  to  a  considerable  cx- 
tiiiit.  At  the  extreme  point  of  tho  bar  is  a  stone  about 
teji  feet  long,  of  irregular  width,  known  as  tho  "Indiftn 
liock,"  which  in  early  times  bore  a  number  of  Indian 
hieroglyphics,  ami  npon  Avhich  tradition  states,  George 
Washington  inscribed  his  name  in  one  of  Iiis  early  jour- 
neys to  the  west.  Tho  marks  whatever  tlicy  were,  have 
long  since  been  worn  out  or  cut  ont  by  ambitions  indi- 
viduals who  have  covered  its  surface  with  their  o.vn  in- 
itials to  the  displacement  of  the  "Indian  signs.'*     Tlio 


.i,     ,. 


-!i  ■ 


or  r.vTiiirK  (;ash. 


at* 


appcarnupe  of  the  rock  marks  low  water  in  the  river 

At  Catfisli  Camp,  l*atri«'k  remained  on  the  farm  hww- 

otl  by  his  father  for  a  considerable  period,  during  wliLeh 

time  h<3  made  several  trips  over  the  mountains  to  Mrr- 

i-er.sburf^  and  Hagerstown,  for  salt,  iron,  ife<!.,  whitdi  in 

tljose  days  liad'  to  be  j)aeked  on  horses — liUU  j)onnds  of 

iron  or  two  l)Mshels  of  salt  being  tlic  usual  burden  *4  n 

1/orse.    Considering  the  almost  absolute  absence  of  rouds, 

tliOiiO  excursions  were  attended  with  considerable  lubni 

and  not  a  little  peril;  but  they  suited  his  roving  and  vcu- 

turosome  sj)irrt  admirably,   and   helped  to  develojx'  u 

disposition  for   travel,  that  finally   culminated  in    tl*e 

then  unheard   of  enterprise  of  an  overland  journey   to 

Otegou  of  which  we  shdl  have  more  to  say  li©reafu,'r. 

The  year  1790,  was  remarkable  for  a  drouth  in  (he 
Catfish  country,  and  Patrick  came  to  Charlestown  for 
com,  which' as  ho  informs  us  he  procured  from  Mr.  JMihj- 
farland,  the  Surveyor  who  laid  out  the  town,  and  ^\  ho 
sabscqucntly  committed  suicide  by  shooting  Ir.msell. — 
His  corn  he  took  to  "Moore's  Mill,"  on  Buffalo,  got  a 
duo  bill  for  the  same  and  returned  to  Catfish,  thuK  tiav- 
elly  50  miles  or  more  to  mill  and  back. 

Wliat  would  the  farmers  of  this  day  with  their  steam - 
mills,  turnpikes,  railroads  and  steamboats  think  if  ooni- 
jjclled  to  such  a  resort  for  their  daily  bread,  yet  such  in- 
conveniences were  th«  rule  rather  than  the  exception  in 
those  days. 

About  this  time  having  attained  his  majority,  our  h«- 
ro  began  to  feel  a  longing  for  the  glories  of  war,  and 
the  next  we  hear  of  him  is  in  1792,  when  he  was  sta- 
tioned under  Capt.  Caton,  at  Yellow  Creek,  to  help 
guard  the  frontiers  against  the  incursions  of  the  IruHan?, 
who  had  been  for  a  long  time  troublesome,  ami  who  were 


22 


UlT.   ASl)   TIMES 


!  'i 


at  this  lime  particularly  elated  with  their  success  in  tic- 
i'ealing  (ien.  St.  Clair  ami  his  army  in  the  November 
preceding.  At  this  time  there  was  felt  the  greatest  ap- 
prehension on  account  of  the  Indians,  to  chastise  whom, 
mid  etfoctnally  "onquer  a  peace,  Gen.  Anthony  Wayno 
was  sent  out  with  a  considerable  force  by  the  Govern- 
ment, and  the  militia  all  along  the  frontier  was  drafted 
into  actual  service.  Patrick  on  this  occasion  was  serving 
in  lieu  of  his  father  who  had  been  drafted.  He  was  him- 
Hoif  drafted  shortly  after  leaving  Ytmow  creek,  and  sta- 
tioued  at  Bennett's  Fort,  three  miles  from  Wiieeling, 
(Ml  Wheeling  (*rcck.  He  does  not  appear  to  have  been 
engaged  in  any  actual  lighting  with  the  Indians,  hav- 
ing been  occupied  with  garrison  duty,  but  deserves  ikot 
the  less  credit  on  that  account,  for  to  a  man  of  his  tern- 
porament  the  confinement  of  a  fort  was  more  iikacniie 
than  the  hardships  of  an  active  campaign. 

Shortly  after  this,  in  August  1792,  the  Indians  reoei- 
vchI  a  decisive  check  at  the  hands  of  Gen.  Wayne,  in 
tlieir  total  dc%atonthe  Miami,  which  virtuallv  and  for- 
over  put  a  close  to  Indian  difliculties  in  this  region. — 
Emigration  to  the  west  which  had  almost  entirely  ccasod 
during  the  previous  few"  years  commenced  again  with  re- 
newed activity  after  the  peace  of  Grenville,  in  1796,  and 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Ohio  company  and  the  leader- 
ship of  the  veteran  officers  of  the  revolutionary  war,  llic 
Ohio  country  filled  up  with  great  rapidity,  and  with  a 
class  of  settlers  preeminently  qualified  for  laying  broad 
and  deep  the  foundations  of  a  great  and  prosperous  state. 

While  stationed  at  Wheeling  Creek,  Mr.  Gass  had 
tan  opportunity  of  seeing  the  noted  Lewis  Wetzel  and 
also  Capt.  Samuel  Brady,  names  common  as  household 
words,  to  all  familiar  with  our  early  annals.    They 


OP   PATIlIfK    ^ABS. 


were  then  acting  as  scouts,  in  which  capacity  tlioy  n-ti- 
dorcd  the  infont  scttloments  most  elVectivc  service.  Wet- 
Kol  is  dcscribeil  us  «  lall,  black  visageil,  slenderly  bnilt 
man,  with  remarkably  keen  eyes;  and  history  gives  him 
credit  for  a  deadly  and  inveterate  hatred  of  the  red -skins, 
of  whom  ho  sent,  more  lo  tlieir  last  aceonnt,  than  perhap.** 
ony  other  one  man  of  his  or  any  other  tlay. 

A  noted  instance  of  his  success  in  circumventing  the 
"red  skin  !,"  is  given  in  the  romantic  story  of  "Old  Crosf^ 
Fire,"  which  has  more  than  iince  gone  the  rounds  of  the 
papers  and  is  subHtantially  true;  and  to  this  day,  tlip 
spot  is  pointed  out  where  an  Indian,  having  concealed 
himself  among  the  rocks  on  the  precipitous  bank  of  tlu* 
crock  near  Wheelinif,  un<l  decoyed  and  shot  several  white 
men,  by  imitating  tho  noise  of  a  turkey,  was  himself 
killed  by  Wetzel,  while  in  the  very  act  of  "gobbling" 
for  a  victim.  The  i(lenti(;al  rock  behind  ■which  the  In- 
dian was  concealed  was  i\\  existence  about  three-fourth?* 
of  a  mile  from  the  mouth  of  Wheeling  creek,  until  a  few 
years  ago,  when  it  was  split  up  for  building  purpoMc^s. 
and  sold  by  the  owner  of  the  ground.  It  is  to  be  regivt- 
ted  that  the  rock  was  not  preserved,  as  a  standiiiir  me- 
morial of  the  Indian  times,  and  a  monument  to  the  bravr 
and  intrepid  hunter,  who  has  given  his  name,  liowev- 
over,  to  a  county  in  our  good  old  commonwealth.  Had 
it  been  named  Wetzel's  rock,  ii  would  liavc  reTnain«*d 
an  object  of  interest  for  ages  perhaps;  and  thus  effectn' 
ally  perpetuated  bis  name,  and  proven  c  source  of  grat- 
ification to  those  who  would  desire  justice  done  to  t\\e 
memory  of  the  pioneers.  Like  many  other  men  of  hif 
contemporaries,  Wetzel  had  private  injuries  to  revengt? 
Uponihe  Indians,  and  his  hatred  of  them  was  bitter  and 
Relentless.     They  murdered  several  of  his  kindred,  and 


'J4 


l.IFli    AND    T1MI;h 


)io  lutiiMjll  witli   iui    elder   brother  hud  boon   priBonorw 
amoiii;'  tlioui  when  bnys,  and  ("rt'ootod  thoirosoupoby  ox- 
truonlinju y  jiddivss  and  oonra  m*,  and  lio  vowod   otornnl 
e^uuily.     Liko  too  many  men  of  Ids  chisH  ho  had  some- 
what loose  idoan  of  the  sanelity  ol  hiwsand  troatie.s  with 
Indians,    wlien  I  hey  interfered  with  the  gratilieation  ol 
his  veny^eanee;  and   it  is  re[)()rted  of  liim  that  lie   nern 
jded  nol   to   take   a  shot  when  occasion  olVerod,   oven 
tlionirli  in  time  of  peace.     Of  eonrse,  sucli  conduct  wan 
not  only  iliscreditable  to  the  i^nod   faith  of  tlio  whitPH. 
bnt  was  vitally  danj.'C^'rons  to  their  Kocnrity  from  IrKlian 
veit^'canoo.     Ho  was  warnetl  and  admonished  of  the  dat»^- 
jj,or  to  the  peace  of  tho  settlenKMits  of  snob  an  nncompro- 
misinijr  hostility,  and  was  iinallv  arrested  in  Ohio,  and 
impiisonod  on  oharu^e  ofmnrdor,  for  shooting  an  Indian 
in  time  of  peace.     Mo  would  doubtless  have  boon  visil- 
ed  with  the   ngors  of  tho  law,  but  popular  sympathy 
was  in  his  favor.     Tho  whole  ci»untry   ^ido  ilockod  U> 
the  place  of  his  continement.  demanding  his  dischart^\ 
under    penalty  of  demolishing  tho  jail   and  delivoriug 
liim  by  force,  and  the  result  of  tho  demonstration  way, 
that  ho  was  by  some  unaccountable  moans  released. — 
After  this  adventure,  tradition  speaks  of  no  more  filit- 
blistering  on  his  part  and  his  subsequent  career    is   in- 
volved in  doubt,  though  the  most  probable  story  states 
that  he  engaged  in  llatboating  ontiie  river,  becaiu<;  dis- 
sipated and  died  miserably  \\\  New  Orleans  sometime 
about  the  beginning  of  the  prtisent  century. 

The  llatboatmen  of  that  dav  were  an  extraortttnarr 
race,  aptly  denominated  in  the  Mike  Fink  dialect  as  \\qM 
horse  and  half  alligator.  They  were  a  reckless,  frolick- 
ing set,  net  generally  burdened  with  any  over-sup  ply 
of  coQScieuce,  and  y^t  endowed  with  a  lougk  sense  of 


OF    TATnifK    OAR«. 


25 


ItoHdr  ninoii^  ilioinKclvrH  iirid  townrrl  tlinir  (;rn|»loy<Tv. 
l[oWL'v<'rf>irftticHlly  <liHj»«NC(l  titward  tlic  HfjiinitorH  alont? 
Ilio  hanks  of  tlm  livcrH,  and  ioward  outHidrrH  ^ciifrally; 
und  liovvovnr  ready  t<»  ('iHj;i\^o  in  hndis  and  to  ii«k  tlicir 
livoH  for  trivial  insnItH,  orcvcn  ff)r  bravado,  intlioHan- 
ifuinary  li^litH  of  tlicir  day,  ilicy  coidd  yot  be  waf«dy  vu- 
triiHtcd  with  unconnind  HuniH  of  Tnonoy,  and  woidd  ;'i^dit 
»«»  the  death  in  (h;fcnro  of  thoir  roniradoH  or  their  cni- 
|)h)y.  s'  ])roji('rty.  'I'liey  wnrn  rnmpoHcA  ^nnnrally  of 
the  n;8tU;HS  hordererw,  who.  uh  in  all  new  fftnntries,  pre- 
ler  a  life  of  cxeitcment  and  Ijard^hip,  ho  tliat  it  he  eon- 
]>led  with  freedom,  to  one  of  setthifl  comfort  and  eon 
straint.  Wet/el  was  a  irian  f)f  this  temperament,  and 
it  is  hij^iily  prolmhie  that  h(!  hocame  an  adejjt  in  the 
roii^h  featurnH  of  boating',  and  as  liistory  is  silent,  we 
may  reasonably  conelnde  that  his  career  was  like  that 
of  most  of  his  comradf's.  The  life  they  led  was  a  [ire- 
(•arious  one;  leaving  out  r»f  the  (juestion  the  dangers  of 
their  calling  from  accident  and  disease,  tlie  exf)osnre 
and  habitual  dissipation  so  common  among  them,  very 
g«»ncrally  cut  short  their  careers.  Nevertheless,  there 
wa.s  an  excitement  about  it  which  was  very  attractive 
to  the  youth  of  that  day. 

'Z  The  produce  of  this  section  was  at  that  day  trans[>f»i-| 
ted  by  flatboats,  batteaux  and  similar  floating  craft,  u, 
the  New  Orleans  market,  then  the  only  outlet  ff)r  the 
surplus  production,  and  as  the  risk  was  great  and  the 
labor  eevcre,  the  New  (^)rleans  traders  gen^^rally  made 
large  profits,  and  many  of  the  most  substantial  citi/,ens 
among  us,  realized  their  fortunes  in  this  wav>\  The  trip 
from  the  Upper  Ohio  to  New  Orleans,  occupied  from 
one  to  two  months,  according  to  the  stage  of  tlie  water, 
and  not  unfrequently  they  were  snagged  and  snnk,  er 


s 


ii  ! 


t   ; 


il- 


m  :li  ;l  I 


H 


LIFE    AKD   rtMES 

run  high  and  dry  upon  the  shifting  sandbars  of  the  IMis- 
sissippi  and  Ohio.  The  labor  in  time  of  low  water  wan 
extrcinely  severe  and  trying  npon  the  constitutions  of 
those  engaged:  the  boats  having  sometimes  to  b(^  liter- 
ally jumped  over  the  shallow  places,  by  means  of  levers, 
sometimes  a  channel  to  be  dug  out  of  the  river  bottom 
sufficiently  deep  to  float  them,  and  every  other  imagi- 
nable device  adopted  to  get  their  cargoes  into  port. — 
They  coasted  along,  sometimes  doing  a  retail  business 
at  the  different  landings  along  the  river;  but  ( )rleans 
was  the  general  mart  to  which  they  all  headed.  After 
selling  out  there,-  they  sometimes  cordelled  or  hauled 
back  their  boats  the  entire  route,  at  others,  they  sold 
their  crafts,  and  either  took  shipping  around  by  way  of 
the  Atlantic  ports,  or  took  up  their  march  in  companies 
on  foot  and  horseback,  through  the  Indian  country,  tc 
their  place  of  departure.  Marvellous  stories  are  told  of 
flatboatmen's  experience  in  New  Orleans  and  on  the 
return  trip,  and  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  there  was  a 
great  deal  of  foundation  for  the  same,  both  as  regards 
the  city  and  the  travelling.  Steamboats  and  railroads 
have  gradually  superseded  this  mode  of  transportatifin, 
and  at  this  day  the  broad-horn  is  an  object  of  curiosity, 
almost,  on  the  Upper  Ohio;  as  are  flatboatmen's  yarns 
a  subject  for  incredulous  wonder  to  the  rising  genera- 
tion. An  occasional  flatboat  load  still  leaves  foV  the 
Southern  country,  but  for  the  past  ten  or  fifteen  years, 
flatboating  may  be  pronounced  obsolete. 

A-s  illustrative  of  the  loose  notions  of  the  hunters  of 
that  day  in  regard  to  the  Indians,  an  incident  is  rela- 
ted, which  we  do  not  recoil  t  o€  having  ever  seen  in 
print,  but  which  is  as  TV^ell  authenticated  as  the  gener- 
ality of  such  stories.     It  seems  that  an  agreement  had 


OF   PATRICK    GASS. 


^rs  of 

Irela- 

m  in 

mer- 

had 


beers  entered  into  with  the  Indians  that  they  were  to 
have  the  exclusive  privilege  of  certain  hunting  grounds 
west  of  the  Ohio,  choice  among  which  for  its  abundance 
of  game,  was  the  Stillwater  country  in  what  is  now  Har- 
rison and  Carrol  counties.  This  arrangement  conflicted 
with  the  free  and  easy  notions  of  the  pioneers  who  had 
been  accustomed  to  roam  at  their  own  sweet  will,  and 
marauding  expeditions  into  the  Indian  country  were  not 
of  unfrequent  oocurrence.  A  party  from  Washington 
County,  Pa.,  among  whicli  were  Solomon  and  Thomas 
Eury  had  penetrated  to  the  Stillwater  country,  in  search 
of  game;  and  Thomas  was  shot  by  the  Indians  while 
lying  by  his  camp-fire,  his  body  was  covered  v/ith  a  bear- 
skin and  his  faithful  dogs  were  left  at  his  side  as  if  sen- 
tinels over  him  while  sleeping;  while  the  wily  Indiani» 
were  posted  around  to  shoot  down  the  balance  of  the 
party  as  they  approached  to  awaken  the  sleeper.  But 
by  some  means  their  presence  was  detected  by  the  whites 
just  in  time  for  these  latter  to  save  themselves  by  a  pre- 
cipitate flight,  pursued  by  the  whole  band  of  Inditwis. 
Nothing  was  done  with  the  Indians  on  the  ground  that 
Eury  righteously  met  his  death  while  trespassing  on 
their  privileges;  but  some  years  afterwards,  Solomon 
Eury,  the  brother  of  the  slain  man,  happened  to  be  in 
company  with  a  party  of  Indians,  one  of  whom,  while 
under  the  influence  of  liquor,  boasted  to  him  that  he 
was  the  brave  who  had  killed  his  brother.  The  taunt  s«i 
enraged  Solomon,  that  although  in  time  of  peace,  he 
instantly  repaired  to  his  house  without  a  word,  took 
down  his  old  rifle  running  32  to  tlie  pound,  drewsed 
himself  in  full  scouting  costume,  and  never  stopped  un- 
til he  shot  the  boasting  Indian  and  six  of  his  coniradeh'. 
He  covered  their  bodies  with  leaves  and  branches  where 


, 


28 


LIFE   AND   TIMES 


I       i 


I 


i -J 


they  fell,  but  the  stench  attracted  attention,  the  crime 
was  traced  to  Solomon  Eury,  lie  was  arrested,  taken  to 
Mad  River  Coui-tlionse  and  imprisoned,  hut  after  a 
mockei-y  of  a  trial,  acquitted;  ostensibly,  because  the 
evidence  was  insuflicicnt,  but  really,  because  popular 
opinion  would  not  admit  of  his  being  punished  for 
what  every  frontiersman  felt  conscious,  he  would  have 
done  himself,  if  similarly  circumstanced.  This  incident 
gives  a  pretty  faithful  idea  of  the  state  of  feeling  at  the 
time  and  of  the  general  character  of  the  pioneers,  in 
respect  to  their  treatment  of  and  by  the  Indians. 

The  piping  times  of  peace  which  followed  the  almost 
annihilation  of  the  Indians  by  Gen.  Wayne,  were  any- 
thing but  agreeable  to  the  genius  of  our  hero;  never- 
tholess,  unwilling  to  be  idle,  he  betook  himself  to  learn 
the  carpenter's  trade,  and  bound  himself  in  1794,  as 
an  apprentice  to  the  trade  for  the  period  of  two  years 
and  three  months  at  his  old  stamping  ground,  Mercers- 
burg,  Pa.  Previous  to  this,  he  had  made  a  trading  trip 
to  New  Orleans,  in  March,  1793^  and  returned  by  way 
of  Cuba,  through  Philadelphia,  Chambersburg,  &c.,  to 
Wellsburg.  Even  this  trip,  now  of  little  difficulty,  was 
in  those  days  a  matter  of  very  considerable  moment  and 
goes  to  show  the  habitual  restlessness  of  his  disposition. 
It  is  not  probable  that  Mr.  Gass  ever  became  much  of 
a  proficient  in  the  carpenter  business,  although  he  points 
to  at  least  one  house  in  Wellsburg,  long  known  while 
in  the  occupancy  of  Wm.  Burgess,  as  the  **  Traveller* » 
Rest**  moi-e  recently  as  the  "Yellow  Hammer's  Nest," 
said  bouse  having  got  sadly  Otut  of  repute  as  well  as  of 
repair,  in  latter  days^  as  »  specimen  of  his  handiwork 
in  this  line.  The  house  at  present  belongs  to  Mr.  John 
Qardner  aud  luts  Torj  recently  beea  put  in  good  repair. 


',i% 


Of   PATRICK    0A8S. 


29 


y  way 

1 

c,  to 

1 

^  was 

1 

it  and 

1 

ition. 

?# 

chof 

1 

oints 

1 

(vhile 

1 

ller'» 

i 

58t," 

1 

iB   of 

1 

pork 

1 

■ohn 

iJ 

)air. 


Us  substantial  hewn  oak  timbers  promising  long  to  ont- 
live  it8  architect. 

He  also  had  the  honor  of  working  on  a  house  for 
James  Buchanaii,  Sr.,  the  father  of  President  Buchanan, 
at  the  foot  of  Sideling  Hill,  and  saw  Gcri.  Washington, 
at  Carlisle,  when  became  out  with  the  troops  in  1794 
to  suppress  the  whisky  insurrection.  In  this  war,  we 
believe  Patrick  had  no  part;  ho  was  too  much  of  a  pa- 
triot to  resist  the  government;  and  he  loved  good  old 
Monongahela  too  well  to  enlist  against  the  Whisky  Boys, 
so  he  remained  wisely  neutral.  He  was  engaged  for  a 
period  of  six  months  on  the  house  for  Mr.  Buchanan,  du- 
ring which  time  he  became  well  acquainted  with  "little 
Jimmy"  as  he  still  persists  in  calling  our  bachelor 
President,  said  "little  Jimmy"  being  ten  or  twelve  years 
younger  tlum  Mr.  Gass.  Little  Jimmy,  says  Mr.  Gass, 
was  then  a  school  boy,  rather  bright  for  his  years;  but 
showing  nothing  to  particularly  distinguish  him  from 
thousands  of  other  urchins  of  his  age. 

The  elder  Buchanan  was  an  Irishman  who  emigrated 
to  this  country  at  an  early  day,  and  in  York  county  mar- 
ried a  Miss  Hpeer,  of  a  family  somewhat  distinguished 
for  ability  in  Pennsylvania-  Rev.  Matliew  Specr  a  dis- 
tinguished minister  of  Carlisle,  was  a  brother  of  Mrs. 
Buchanan,  and  to  this  family  the  Gass's  were  also  con- 
nected by  marriage.  From  his  mother,  the  President 
must  have  inherited  his  qualities  as  a  statesman,  for  ac- 
cording to'Mr.  Gass,  the  elder  Bucbanan,  was  not  par- 
ticularly distinguished  among  his  fellow  citizens  for  any 
other  qualities  than  thrift  and  success  in  making  money. 
He  was  a  merchant  and  accumulated  considerable  prop- 
erty by  supplying  the  settlers  with  iron,  salt,  ifec,  in  ex- 
/•hange  for  peltry  and  hard  dollars  ou  pretty  much  his 


li       ! 


m  ^ 


i 


i! 


80 


LIFE    AND   TIJIES 


own  terms.  Mr.  Gass, worked  here  at  his  trade  with  oc- 
casional intermissions  until  May,  1799.  At  this  period^ 
during  the  presidency  of  the  elder  Adams,  a  promi- 
nent speck  of  war  appeared  in  the  horizon,  being  nothing 
less  than  the  prospect  of  a  rupture  with  France  iinder 
the  reign  of  citizen  Genet  and  his  French  democracy. — 
This  was  glorious  news  for  our  hero,  and  throwing  down 
his  jack  plane  and  apron  he  again  shouldered  his  mus- 
ket and  enlisted  in  the  10th  Regiment,  American  army, 
under  command  of  Gen.  Alex.  Hamilton.  His  servi- 
ces in  this  war  appear  to  have  consisted  in  a  series 
of  marches  and  counter-marches,  among  the  forts  and 
recruiting  stations  of  Western  Pennsylvania,  without 
much  glory  or  personal  peril.  The  winter  of  1799,  ho 
passed  in  bai-racks  at  Carlisle.  From  Carlisle  he  was 
sent  to  Harper's  Ferry,  Va.,  in  June,  1800,  and  was 
discharged  at  Little  York,  Pa.,  the  French  war,  which 
promised  so  much,  winding  up  most  ingloriously. 

However,  Patrick  was  not  to  be  cheated  out  of  his 
full  share  of  military  glory,  by  French  or  American  di- 
plomacy; accordingly  the  ink  that  recorded  his  discharge 
was  hardly  dry  before  he  again  enlisted  in  the  five  years 
service  under  Maj.  Cass,  father  of  Gen.  Lewis  Cass, 
the  "hero  of  tho  broken  sword  and  stump,'*  of  politi- 
cal badinage,  and  the  wise  diplomatist  of  the  day,  who, 
celebrated  for  his  antipathy  for  everything  British,  has 
rendered  his  name  memorable  in  *he  diplomatic  annals 
of  the  country;  and  added  the  crowning  glory  by  enfor- 
cing in  1858,  upon  the  British  goverr,ment  the  final 
recognition  of  the  principle  for  which  the  war  of  1812: 
was  fought,  without  definite  result,— "that  the  Ameri- 
can flag  rendered  sacfed  from  search  or  visitation  on  th© 
high  seas  by  foreign  authority,  the  vessel  that  bore  itv** 


■liL 


OF   PATRICK    GASS. 


81 


of  his 

*an  di- 

;harge 

years 

Cass, 

loliti- 

who, 

t,  ha^ 

iunals 

mfor- 

final 
1812 

leri- 
intho 


1 


After  claiming  the  supremacy  of  the  seas  for  centuries, 
Great  Britain  at  last  relinquished  the  right  of  search  in 
May,  1858;  when  the  exercise  of  the  claim  by  British 
vessels  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  in  the  attempt  to  sup- 
press the  slave  trade  asserted  to  be  carried  on  with 
Cuba  and  the  Southern  states,  aroused  a  burst  of 
popular  indignation,  produced  energetic  measures  as 
well  as  remonstrances  from  the  government  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  and  resulted  in  the  full,  final  and  unequivo- 
cal, and  we  will  do  them  the  justice  to  say,  handsome 
renunciation  by  the  British  Parliament,  of  all  right  or 
claim  to  search  American  vessels  on  the  high  seas,  un- 
less under  treaty  stipulations. 

By  this  time,  intelligence  and  merit  had  brought  Mr. 
Gass,  into  notice;  he  was  promoted  from  the  ranks,  and 
entrusted  with  several  responsible  duties  in  the  way  of 
recruiting  and  in  detecting  and  arresting  deserters.  The 
cvampaign,  however,  is  barren  of  incidents  of  sufficient 
interest  for  detail.  In  1800,  the  detachment  to  which 
he  belonged  under  Gen.  Wilkinson  of  revolutionary 
memorv,  noted  for  hie  connection  with  the  "Cabal"  and 
his  ignominious  defeat  in  the  wapof  1812,  descended  the 
Ohio  in  flatboats,  passed  the  Falls  on  Christmas  day, 
and  landed  at  Wilkinsville,  where  they  wintered  in 
tents  and  huts.  In  the  Fall  of  1801,  he  went  with  a 
company  under  Capt.  Bissell,  up  Tennessee  River,  and 
in  the  Fall  of  1802,  the  same  with  a  company  of  artil- 
lery wero  sent  to  Kaskaskia,  Illinois,  where  they  re- 
mained until  the  Fall  of  1803,  when  a  call  was  made 
for  volunteers  for  the  government  expedition  under 
Lewis  <fe  Clark,  being  an  experimental  overland  jour- 
ney across  the  Rocky  mountains,  into  Oregon  Territory. 


iu 


y% 


1 


li 


;  I 


I 


CHAPTER  11 


OVERLAND  JOURNEY  TO  THE  PACIFIC. 


This  expedition  was  projected  during  tlie  adminis- 
tration of  President  Jefter.son,  partly  for  scientilie  pur- 
poses and  partly  for  the  purpose  of  giving  oclat  to  liis 
administration.  The  sage  of  Montieello,  the  most  ])liil- 
osopliic  of  all  our  presidents,  took  a  just  pride  in  all  that 
related  to  the  literature  of  the  country,  and  the  uncx- 
l)lored  fields  of  the  country  west  of  the  Mississippi, 
then  not  only  a  barren  but  an  unknown  waste,  otfered  a 
fair  opportunity  for  him  not  only  to  gratify  his  taste  and 
add  to  his  own  renown  as  the  patron  of  sufh  an  enter- 
prise, but  substantially  to  add  to  the  material  knowledge 
of  the  world.  With  the  exception  of  some  trivial  con- 
tributions made  to  the  stock  of  general  information  in 
regard  to  this  terra  incognitahy  the  Hudson's  iiay  Com- 
pany, who  sent  out  an  expedition  of  discovery  under 
the  command  of  Mr.  Hearn,  which  lasted  from  Decem- 
])er  1770,  to  June  1772,  and  explored  the  country  be- 
tween Churchill  river  and  the  mouth  of  Coppermine  be- 
tween latitude  58  deg.,  and  72  deg.,  north,  very  lit- 
tle authentic  information  had  been  recorded.  In  fact. . 
no  regularly  organized  attempt  at  exploration  for  such 


LIFE    AND   TIMES 


m 


a  purpose,  nppcftrs  to  have  been  made  prior  to  that 
of  Messrs.  Lewis  and  Clark.  Tlic  expedition  of  Mr. 
Hcarn,  appears  to  have  been  purely  of*a  commeroiai 
character,  and  so  far  as  geographical  or  scientific  ob- 
jects were  concerned,  seems  to  have  been  barren  of  re- 
sults. The  individual  enterprise  and  perseven>nc<3  of 
the  Canada  traders,  supplieil  far  uiore  general  an<l  ac- 
curflte  knowledge  of  the  country.  Prior  to  1789,  t\fO^ 
had  located  trading  posts  from  Canada  almost  to  iUo 
Ivockv  monntains,  and  about  this  time  thev  organized 
themselves  together  under  the  general  name  of  the  North 
west  company.  The  hunters  and  trappers  belonging  to 
this  company  had  a  tolerably  correct  practical  knowl- 
edge of  the  geography  of  the  country,  many  of  them  ac- 
(piired  a  knowledge  of  the  dialects  of  the  Indians  among 
whom  they  traded,  and  communicated  pretty  correct 
ideas  of  their  manners  and  customs. 

In  this  year  1789,  Mr.^McIvenzie,  explored  the  coun- 
try between  Fort  Chippewayen  and  lake  of  the  Hills, 
in  latitude  5S  deg.,  by  the  way  of  Slave  river,  Slave  lake 
and  ]M'Kenzie  river,  to  the  mouth  of  this  latter  river, 
at  the  North  sea  in  latitude  G9  deg.;  and  in  the  year 
1793,  again  crossed  from  Pean  river  in  latitude  5()  deg., 
to  the  I'acific  in  latitude  52  deg.  north.  But  these  ex- 
plorations having  for  their  object,  principally,  the  dis- 
covery of  facilities  for  extending  and  prosecuting  the 
fur  trade,  were  necessarily  too  far  to  the  north  to  pi<'rc<! 
the  territories  proper  of  the  United  States,  and  it  Iw- 
came  an  object  to  traverse  the  country  in  more  south- 
ern latitudes.  The  southern  portion  of  the  continent, 
reaching  up  as  high  as  latitude  38  deg.,  had  been  for  a 
longtime  known  to  the  Spanish  explorers,  consequent- 
ly,  the  unexplored  country  lay  between  38  and  52  de- 


f    ! 


^ ) 


i 


U 


OF   PATRICK    GA88. 


Ir 


groea of  north  latitiule,  and  between  tlio  Mississippi  ri- 
ver and  the  Pacific  ocean — embracing,'  an  area  of  about 
1000  by  1800 miles.  Fabulous  stories  were  in  circula- 
tion in  regard  to  this  portion  of  the  territory.  The 
character  of  the  soil  was  exagerated.  Where  it  was  til- 
lable at  all,  it  was  re])resented  as  of  marvellous  fertili- 
ty, and  where  it  was  barren,  it  was  rei)resenteil  as  an 
impassable  desert.  Those  singular  formations,  the 
*'Mauvaise  Terres"  where  vast  masses  of  rock  tower  up 
in  the  dottort  like  artificial  erections,  were  seen  by  the 
traders,  and  what  is  now  known  to  bo  only  the  debris 
of  some  mighty  natural  convulsion,  was  gravely  said  to 
be  the  ruins  of  mighty  cities — Tadmors  of  the  western 
wilderness. 

The  mysterious  mirage  which  so  befools  the  physical 
eye  of  the  wanderers  on  these  arid  plains  with  tantali- 
zing images  of  fountains  and  green  pastures,  seems  to 
have  equally  befogged  the  mental  vision  of  the  trappers. 
Everything  in  relation  to  the  country  was  magnified  or 
distorted.  The  wooly  horse  had  his  prototyije  in  their 
camp-fire  narrations.  The  productions,  vegetable,  an- 
imal and  mineral,  were  half  fabulous,  and  the  natives 
were  represented  as  of  prodigious  size  and  extraordina- 
ry ferocity.  It  became  extremely  hard  to  sift  out  and 
discriminate  the  few  grains  of  truth  from  such  a  mass 
of  fable  and  falsehood.  But  the  time  had  come  when 
the  reign  of  the  imaginary  should  give  place  to  that  of 
the  real.  The  genius  of  progress  had  decreed  that  the 
continent  should  succumb  to  the  dominion  of  the  white 
man;  and  though  the  gold  of  California  was  undream- 
ed of,  the  balmy  climate  of  the  Oregon  country,  and  the 
fertile  fields  of  the  Kansas,  unappreciated  at  that  day, 
she  had  already  waved  her  wand  over  the  land  of  tha 


LIFK    AVn   TIMES 


65 


acttint;  Ruu,  ami  bravo  ainl  jejallant  spirits  sprang  up 
from  the  abodes  of  oivilization  to  do  hor  biiMing. 

It  liad  bocomo  eseor.llai  to  the  honor  of  tlic  country, 
if  not  to  hor  prolit  tliat  these  fabh)s  slioiiM  be  disproved; 
and  that  this  niai^'nlHcent  scope  of  country  lyini?  within 
lier  domain  should  be  opened  up  to  intelligent  posses- 
sion. That  its  rivers  sliould  bo  traced  to  their  sources, 
tiieir  commercial  importance  noted,  their  directions  (h^- 
termined,  that  the  ([ualities  of  tlio  huid,  the  character  of 
its  inhabitants,  its  ves^^itation,  its  animals  and  miner- 
als shouM  bo  descril>ed,  that  the  face  of  the  country 
should  be  defined  with  accuracy,  and  the  most  eligible 
routes  to  t!ie  Pacific  should  be  ascertained,  in  sliortthat 
an  accurate  and  as  far  as  possible  faitliful  traiiiHcript  of 
the  country  sliould  bo  contributed  to  the  general  knowl- 
edge of  mankind,  was  the  main  object  of  this  expedition. 

An  appropriation  for  the  purpose  was  made  by  Con- 
gress in  the  year  1803,  and  the  President  empowered 
to  take  tho  necessary  measures  for  its  prosecution,  in 
response  to  a  confidential  message  of  January  17th, 
1803,  recommending  such  an  expedition. 

Capt.  Merriwetlier  Lewis,  of  Va.,  was  appointed  to 
the  command  of  tho  expedition.  This  appointment  was 
partly  owing  to  family  influence,  Capt.  Lewis  being  a 
sister's  son  of  tho  President,  and  connected  with  the  in- 
fluential family  of  tho  Lewis's,  who  were  favorites  of 
Washington,  and  became  the  recipients  through  him 
of  large  tracts  of  land  in  Western  Virginia.  Gen.  An- 
drew Lewis,  the  commander  of  tho  Virginia  forces,  at 
ihe  bloody  battle  of  Point  Pleasant,  with  the  Indians,  in 
1774,  a  bosom  friend  of  Washington,  and  a  bravo  and 
meritoriouB  oflScer,  was  a  grand  uncle  of  the  captain. — 
He  did  not  owe  his  appointment,  however,  altogether  to 


36 


OP   PATniCK    OAflS. 


family  influence,  for  he  ha<l  distinguished  himsolf  ficr- 
Konally  in  tlic  Indian  campaign,  under  Gon.  Wayne, 
and  was  a  man  of  probity  and  intelligence,  as  well  as  of 
courage  and  military  ability.  Ho  was  doubtless  a  wise 
eejoction  as  the  leader  of  the  expedition,  and  Mr.  (Jawj 
speaks  of  him  in  very  high  terms  of  commendation  as 
a  gentleman  and  an  oflicer.  Ilo  was  empowered  by  tlte 
I'resident  to  select  his  own  men,  and  chose  for  his  hoc- 
ond  in  command,  Lieut.  William  (Uark,  a  man  also  it;- 
putably  connected,  and  well  qualified  by  previous  Indian 
service  for  his  post.  lie  was  a  brother  of  (George  Kodg- 
ers  Clark,  of  Kentucky,  afterwards  (jlovernor  of  Missou- 
ri, with  whom  he  is  sometimes  confounded.  (Japt.  Lew- 
is came  to  Kaskaskia  in  the  fall  of  1803.  iii  his  search 
for  suitable  material  for  such  a  corps,  and  among  oth- 
ers who  volunteered  Avas  Mr.  (J ass,  who  liappened  to  be 
stationed  at  this  post,  and  to  whoso  adventurous  disjwsi- 
tion  tho  opportunity  presented  charms  that  couhl  not 
be  resisted.  To  travel  where  white  man  had  never  trod 
before,  was  an  eminence  of  venture  that  rose  up  moun- 
tain high  in  his  imagination,  and  tho  danger  only  dared 
him  to  undertake  it.  Patrick  (lass  was  easily  enrolled 
on  the  Captain's  book,  as  a  member  of  the  party,  but 
I'atrick  had  more  difficulty  in  cflecting  a  release  from 
his  military  engagements.  It  so  happened  that  the  de- 
tachment to  which  he  belonged  was  about  going  into 
cantonment  ft^r  the  winter,  and  Mr.  Gass'  accomplish- 
ments as  a  'arpenter,  joined  to  his  other  good  qualities, 
made  his  immediate  commander  unwilling  to  part  with 
him.  Accordingly,  he  raised  objection  to  his  leaving, 
but  Patrick  was  resolute  on  all  occasions,  and  hard  to 
be  balked  when  he  once  set  his  mind  upon  a  purpose. — 
Ascertaining  that  Capt.  Lewis  was  on  his  way  to  camp, 


i;      r-  ■■ 


l.IFR    AND    TIMES 


m 


vmg, 
rd  to 
se. — 
amp, 


lie  weut  out  to  meet  liim  on  tlic  road,  and  stating  hi^ 
case  with  soldior-like  directness,  tlio  resnltottlic  confer- 
(MiL'o  was  tluit  he  was  fortliwith  enrolled  in  the  coiupa- 
ny  i»f  explorers,  notwithstanding  Oapt.  Jiissoirs  objei.'- 
tions.  Tile  selection  was  not  confined  to  military  men, 
but  the  call  for  volnntecrs  was  made  also  to  civilians. 
Among  the  civilians  who  volunteered,  was  (reo.  Sluui- 
ijon,  a  broth<»r  of  Ex-Governor  Shannon,  of  Ohio,  wlu> 
tlion  resided  at  Pittsburg,  and  who  accompanied  tlieox- 
jKJtlitiun  to  its  final  end,  and  died  sonic  years  aftiT,  in 
Konluoky.  Several  of  those  who  volunteered  and  were 
accepted,  felt  their  ardor  suddenly  cool,  when  the  time 
came  for  starting.  The  immediate  prospect  of  excliang- 
ing  civilization  for  barbarism,  comfort  tor  hardship  and 
safety  for  certain  peril,  with  the  chance  of  never  return- 
ing, proved  too  much  for  their  philosophy;  and  to  Ube 
aa  expressive  term,  they  backed  out. 

At  the  time  of  starting,  the  expedition  consisted  of 
forty- three  men,  including  officers,  privates,  and  a  col- 
ored servant  of  Capt.  Clark,  named  York,  who  after- 
wards received  his  freedom  in  conaideratiun  of  his  ser- 
vices on  the  expedition.  Some  authorities  moke  the 
number  thirty-two,  but  this  is  incorrect,  as  appears  fit) m 
the  record  in  Gass'  Journal,  made  at  the  time.  H^'has 
omitted  to  give  a  list  of  the  names  of  the  party,  but  the 
following  taken  from  Shallus'  Chronological  Tabl^, 
published  in  Philadelphia,  in  1817,  may  be  reliad  upon 
as  correct,  as  far  as  it  goes.  The  company,  aooording 
to  this  authority,  is  as  follows: 

Captains  Lewis  and  Clark;  John  Ordway,  Nathaniel 
Piyor,  Patrick  Gass,  Sergeants;  William  Bratton,  John 
Coulter,  John  Collin,  Pit.  Crugatte,  Reuben  Fields,  Jo- 
seph Fields,  George  Gibson,  Silas  Goodrich,  Hugh  Hall, 


88 


OP  PATRICK    GASS. 


if! 


^lohn  P.  Howard,  Baptiste  Lapage,  Fran.  Ladischo, 
Hugh  M'Neal,  John  Potts,  John  Shields,  George  Shan- 
non, John  B.  Thompson,  William  Werner,  Alexander 
Willard,  llichard  Windsor,  Joseph  Whitehouse,  Rob- 
ert  Frazicr,  Peter  Wiset,  Privates;  York,  negro  man, 
belonging  to  Capt.  Clark. 

In  November,  1803,  the  party  t:^.a'l«?  its  first  move  in 
the  direction  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  country.  Leaving 
Kaskaskia,  they  proceeded  up  the  Mississippi  until  they 
came  to  the  river  Du  Bois,  or  Wood  river,  where  they 
halted  for  the  winter,  and  occupied  their  time  in  prepar- 
ing boats  and  making  arrangements  for  a  final  start  np 
the  Missouri  the  following  spring.  It  is  probable  that 
during  the  long  and  weary  months  of  a  winter  spent 
thus  on  the  confines  of  civilization,  our  explorers  gave 
their  enterprise  many  an  anxious  thought;  and  it  is  not 
improbable  that  in  those  hours  of  comparative  inactivi- 
ty they  more  than  at  any  subsequent  period  regretted  tlio 
enterprise  in  which  they  were  engaged.  There  is  notli- 
ing  like  constant  activity  to  keep  up  the  courage  and 
the  confidence  of  men,  and  nothing  dissatisfies  tlieni 
sooner  with  their  condition  than  enforced  idleness. — 
However,  they  were  not  entirely  unemployed,  but  found 
exercise  in  providing  for  their  subsistence,  by  hunting, 
and  in  prepa.iug  boats  and  in  making  other  arrange- 
ments preparatory  to  the  actual  commencement  of  the 
journey  on  the  opening  of  spring.  Besides  this,  they 
had  put  their  hands  to  the  plough,  and  felt  that  it  would 
be  unmanly  and  cowardly  to  look  back.  Having  em- 
barked ii}  an  enterprise  upon  which  they  felt  tliai  the 
eyes  of  the  nation  as  well  as  the  attention  of  the  govern- 
ment were  bent,  they  felt  that  their  individual  honors 
were  involved,  and  whatever  the  hazzard,  they  could 


LIFE    AND   TIMES 


39 


not  now  think  of  anything  else  than  prosecuting  it  tc» 
the  end. 

At  last,  Monday,  the  4th  day  of  May  1804  dawned, 
bright  and  pleasant,  arguing  a  successful  and  safe  jour- 
ney;   and    elate  with  high   hopes   and  bright  antici- 
pations, and  with  but  a  passing  thought  of  regret  at  lea- 
ving the  abodes  of  civilization  they  started  on  their  per- 
ilous journey.     They  crossed  the  Mississippi  under  com- 
mand of  Lieutenant,  now  Capt.  Clarke,  ( ^apt.  Levins, 
being  left  behind,  to  overtake  them  in  a  few  days,  and 
commenced  the  ascent  of  the  Missouri,  the  entire  expe- 
dition being  embarked  in  a  Bateau  and  two  Periogues. 
The  little  fleet  made  but  sIoav  headway  against  the  rapid 
current  of  the  river,  and  by  nightfall  they  liad  accom- 
plished but  six  miles  up  the  stream.     However  a  com- 
mencement was  made,  and  after  the  rtjflections  that  usu- 
ally follow  such  an  event  during  the  first  pause,  the  ex- 
pedition proceeded  with  a  better  heart  and  a  more  set- 
tled determination.    "The  determ'Tiod  and  resolute  char- 
acter of  the  corps,"  says  Mr.  Gassin  his  Journal,  "and 
thf  confidence  Avhich  pervaded  all  ranks,  dispelled  every 
eraotion  of  fear  and  anxiety  for  the  present,  -while  a 
sense  of  duty  and  of  the  honor  which  would  attend  the 
completion  of  the  objects  of  "the  expedition;  a  wish  to 
gratify  the  expectations  of  the  government  and  of  our 
fellow  citizens,  with  the  feelings  which  novelty  and  dis- 
covery  almost  invariably  inspire,  seemed  to  casure  us 
ample  support  in  our  future  toils,  suffering5?  and  dan- 
gers." '    ■ '"  '  ">'  *^^ 

Day  by  day  they  journeyed  up  the  turbid  and  silent 
river;  on  the  lOth,  they  reached  the  old  French  village 
of  St.  Charles,  and  as  they  fired  a  gun  by  way  of  salute, 
the  inhabitants  flocked  to  see  them,  and,  on  the  21  st," 


■}' 


I 


[ill! 


'i»  ■ 


40 


LIFE   AND   TIMES 


])oing  joined  by  Capt.  Lewis,  tlicy  left  tlie  hospitable 
Frenchmen  under  a  salute  of  three  cheers;  Avhich  they 
returned  with  three  more,  and  th  ee  discharges  from 
their  guns,  and  again  commenced  their  toilsome  road. 
By  the  25th,  they  had  reached  the  last  white  settlement, 
the  sma41  French  village  of  St.  Johns,  above  the  mouth 
otfthe  Wood  river,  where  the  river  banks  were  high  and 
i  he  land  was  rich.  Above  the  mouth  of  the  Gasconade, 
here  l57  yards  wide,  the  party  halted,  on  the  28tli,  in- 
si>ected  the  arms  and  provisions  and  sent  several  men 
out  to  hunt,  and  by  the  1st  of  June,  they  had  reached 
the  mouth  of  the  Osage,  here  about  one  fourth  the  width 
of  tho  Missouri  itself.  Tlicir  hunters  represented  the 
land  as  the  best  they  had  e\er  seen,  rue  •  mndingwith 
game.  Up  the  Osage,  about  200  ij.v.j  resided  the 
Osago  Indians,  a  people  of  large  size,  well  proportioned 
and  very  warlike;  against  any  possible  collision  with 
whom  they  thought  \t  prudent  to  take  all  reasonable 
precaution,  and  in  the  event  of  an  unfortunate  contin- 
gency to  have  themselves  in  readiness  to  repel  an  at- 
tack. Their  arms  and  ammunition  were  accordingly 
ascertained  here  to  be  in  good  order  for  any  emergency. 
However,  the  event  showed  these  precautions  unneces- 
sary, for  no  attempt  at  interference  with  them  was  uiiide 
by  the  Indians  who  seemed  indeed  universally  v:  '">:jly 
dij^osed.  Up  to  this  time  they  had  been  \\r,:  ;vr  v.i 
intorpreter — someone  through  w^hom  they  could  ct.^p 
municate  with  the  Indians  whom  they  might  encounter 
on  their  route,  but  fortunately  on  the  12th  of  January 
they  fell  in  with  a  party  of  Sioux  on  their  way  to  St. 
liDuifl  with  fur  and  peltry,  among  whom  wiis  an  old 
Frenchman,  who  professed  ability  to  speak  the  lan- 
•gMAge  of  all  the  Missouri  Indians.     On  the  v:;  ngth  of 


I 


OF   PATRICK    GASS. 


41 


ospitable 
icli  tliey 
jes  from 
•mo  road. 
ttlcment, 
iie  mouth 
liighaiul 
iBConade, 
28th,  in- 
eral  men 
I  reached 
the  width 
}nted  the 
ding  with 
sided  the 
portioned 
ision  with 
asonable 
contin- 
)el  an  at- 
ordingly 
CTgency. 
unnee^s- 
|V}-..')  uiade 

.  "•»:jly 

dd  t(.2!i 
icounter 
January 
ly  to  St. 
a  an  old 
the  lan- 
ngth  of 


his  profession,  advantageous  offers  were  made  and  ho 
was  induced  to  go  witli  the  expedition,  in  the  capacity 
of  interpreter,  and  afterwai'ds  proved  a  most  valuable 
}»ijjunct  to  the  literati  of  tlie  party,  though  the  sequel 
.showed  that  in  making  such  extensive  professions,  he 
considcahly  overated  liis  ae([uaintance  with  the  mod- 
em languages.  Ilov/evcr,  necessity,  aa  she  knows  no 
laws,  must  have  no  scruxdes;  and  as  the  balance  of  the 
party  wore  much  more  ignorant  than  he,  the  interpreter 
was  received  into  the  first  society  the  expedition  aflbrd- 
od  and  his  gift  of  tongues  duly  appreciated. 

On  the  "Hhh,  our  voyagers  reached  the  moutli  of  the 
Kansas,  here  lioO  yards  wide;  and  as  Mr.  Gass  observes, 
navigable  for  a  great  distance.  The  intermediate  coun- 
try is  described  by  him  as  being  generally  remarkably 
fertile — a  beautiful  country,  abounding  in  excellent 
timber  and  an  abundance  of  game.  Recent  events  have 
brought  tliis  country  into  notice  and  have  demonstra- 
ted the  fidelity  of  these  explorers  in  their  description 
of  the  Kansas  country,  as  well  as  the  excellence  of  their 
judgement  in  regard  to  the  qualities  of  the  land. 

The  navigation  of  the  Missouri  was  very  similar 
then,  to  what  it  is  now.  At  one  place  we  read  of  their 
bateau  being  nearly  upset  by  being  caught  on  a  riffle, 
at  another  of  all  hands  pulling  her  against  the  rapid 
current  by  a  rope,  which  broke  and  nearly  caused  her 
loss,  then  again  they  pulled  around  sand  bars,  And  tlie 
next  thing  had  to  dodge  the  drift  which  came  down  in 
hngo  masses.  Atone  time  the  shores  were  covered 
with  mulberry  trees,  in  a  short  time  after  suitable  tim- 
ber could  not  be  found  suf 'cient  to  make  a  pair  of  oars. 
An  occasiuiiul  Frenchman  would  be  seen,  living  eolittiry 
and  alone,  sometimes  a  stray  horse  would  greet  their 


I 


i 


42 


LIFE   AND   TIMES 


1      ■! 


vision  and  here  and  there,  they  would  pans  a  deserted 
hut,  once  occupied  by  some  trapper.  The  men  were  sent 
out  to  hunt  in  small  parties,  sometimes  lost  themselves 
in  the  prairies,  and  the  expedition  would  have  to  lialt 
and  wait  for  the  straggltrs.  Deer  were  frequently  kil 
led  and  their  flesh  furnished  a  large  portion  of  the  sub- 
sistence of  the  company.  Beaver  were  also  plenty, 
rare  birds  and  animals  were  of  frequent  occurrence,  spec- 
imens of  all  of  which  were  killed  and  their  skins  stutied 
for  preservation. 

By  the  4th  July,  they  had  reached  a  point  on  tlie 
Missouri,  where  Pond  Creek  enters'  its  waters,  antl  Im- 
pelled by  the  spirit  of  patriotism  which  seemed  to  ac- 
tuate  them  in  all  their  journeyings,  they  signalizwl 
their  appreciation  of  the  day  by  firing  their  swivel  at 
daybreak,  taking  a  grand  dinner  at  noon,  and  christen- 
ing their  encampment  Independence.  The  departing 
day  they  saluted  with  another  gun.  At  the  feast  on 
the  4th,  one  of  the  party  was  bitten  with  a  snake,that  the 
snake  "got  into  his  boots"  our  author  does  not  stat*", 
but  considering  the  time  and  the  circumstances,  such  an 
accident  was  highly  excusable,  if  not  probable;  at  any 
rate  the  bite  was  not  dangerous,  as  he  quietly  obMerves. 

The  glorious  4th,  properly  celebrated,  the  voyage 
was  again  resumed.  Passing  a  creek  called  water- which- 
cries,  or  the  weeping  stream,  they  travelled  to  the  21st, 
without  meeting  any  incidents  of  moment,  when  tlwjy 
reached  the  mouth  of  the  great  river  Platte,  here,  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  wide,  and  upon  whose  water*  lived 
numerous  tribes  of  Indians.  To  these  Indians,  a  depu- 
tation was  sent  to  inform  them  officially  of  the  change 
in  the  administration  of  the  U.  S.  government,  and 
propose  a  treaty.    Their  communications  and  overture« 


OF   I'ATniCK    OASS. 


43 


deserted 
tvere  sent 
enisclvef* 
3  to  lialt 
mtly  kil- 
the  snb- 
)  plenty, 
ice,  8pec- 
18  stuti'ed 

t  on  tlie 

and  Ini- 

d  to    ao- 

ignalizttl 

swivel  at 

christen  - 

eparting 

feast  on 

,that  iiye 

ot  s'tat<», 

such  an 

;  at  any 

b«ervtis. 

voyage 

•which- 

he  21st, 

n  tli*jy 

,  throe 

s  lived 

a  depu- 

change 

t,  and 

erture» 


were  received  with  apj»roprit  te  and  becoming  gravity, 
and  by  the  4th  August  1804,  proper  arrangements  were 
readily  effected.  The  place  of  conference  was  called 
Council  Bluffs,  by  this  party.  The  present  "Council 
Bluffs,"  in  the  state  of  Iowa,  although  not  iden^cal 
with;  is  yet  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  site.  Six 
of  the  Indian  delegation  were  here  made  chiefs,  under 
their  "great  white  father"  the  President,  with  whiclt 
honors  they  appeared  higldy  pleased. 

After  this  conference  was  concluded,  the  party  again 
took  up  its  line  of  march  toward  the  head  waters  of 
the  muddy  river,  their  time  being  variously  employed 
in  navigating  their  crafts,  shooting  game  and  fishing, 
and  taking  observations  of  the  country.  On  the  15tli, 
Capt.  C'larke  and  twelve  men  took  709  fish,  among  thgni 
some  catfish  of  enormous  proportions,  which  proved 
quite  an  agreeable  addition  to  their  stock  of  provisions. 
Here  the  party  experienced  the  first  serious  loss  that 
had  befallen  them,  in  the  death  of  one  of  their  numt)ej-, 
Sergeant  Floyd,  who  was  taken  sick  on  the  19th,  and 
died  on  the  20th.  He  was  the  youngest  man  of  the 
corps,  a  Kentuckian  by  birth,  and  a  distant  relative  of 
Capt.  Clarke.  Being  naturally  of  a  delicate  constitu- 
tion he  had  embarked  on  this  expedition  in  the  hope  of 
acquiring  better  health,  but  the  exposure,  su^^eradded  to 
impradence,  was  too  severe,  and  he  had  to  succumb  in 
spite  of  all  that  could  be  done  to  save  him.  The  im- 
mediate cause  of  his  death  was  as  follows:  Ho  had  been 
amusing  himself  and  carousing  at  an  Indian  dance  un- 
til he  became  overheated  and  it  being  his  duty  to  stand 
guard  that  night,  he  threw  himself  down  on  a  sand  bar 
of  the  Missouri,  despising  the  shelter  of  a  tent  ofl'enid 
Limby  his  comrade  on  guard,  and  was  soon  seized  with 


44 


LIFE    AND   TIMEfr 


I    -<' 


»(         ■!»! 


the  craDip  cliolic,  wliieli  tcniiinatccl  his  life.     During 
}iis  short  illness  he  received  the  kindest  attentions  Ids 
comrades  could  bestow,  and  his  decease  was  sincerely 
deplored.     But  they  were  not  the  men  to  indulge  in  vain 
regrets,  nor  was  it  a  time  to  indulge  in  sentimental  ro- 
tlections  on  the  uncertainty  of  life.     They  mourned  him 
with  a  manly  sorrow,   but  his  melancholy  fate  did  not 
deter  them  from  prosecution  of  their  duty.     He  ^va8 
buried  on  the  wide  ^n'airie,   where  the  desert  wild  wind 
sings   the  requiem  of  tlteir  first  to  die;  and  the  river 
over  which  his  spirit  broods  bears  to  this  day  the  name 
of  Floyd,  given  it  by  his  oflicers  in  honor  of  his  virtues. 
They  reached,  by  the  29th,  the  country  of  tlie  far-fa- 
med Sioux,  whose  lodges,  to  the  number  of  40,  of  bet- 
ter material  and  make  than  general,  were  situated  about 
I)  miles  from  the  Missouri,  up  the  river  Sacque.     Sixty 
of  them  came  to  the  camp  of  the  whites,  as  a  peace  del- 
egation, and  as  a  token  of  their  sincerity,  killed  a  dog, 
and  treated  their  white  brethren  to  a  dance,  in  cheap 
recognition  of  which,    Capt.   Lewis  constituted  five  of 
them  chiefs,  and  presented  them  with  a  grained  deer- 
skin, to  stretch  over  a  keg  by  waj  of  primitive  drum, 
with  which  instrument  of  music,   the  Indians  seemed 
wonderfully  delighted.     When  their  drum  was  made,  a 
jubilee  seems  to  have  been  gotten  up  expressly  for  the 
purpose  of  trying  the  music  that  was  in  it.     They  all  as- 
sembled around  a  couple  of  fires  made  for  the  purpose, 
and  while  two  of  them  beat  on  the  drum,  a  dozen  of  the 
rest  rattled  liltb  bags  of  dried  skin,  in  which  wore  beads 
or  pebbles,  by  way  of  accompaniment,  while  tlio  dan- 
oers,  some  of  them  with  necklaces  of  white  bear's  claws 
of  three  inches  in  length,   to  the  number  of  twenty  or 
thirty,  kept  up  their  performance  until  "broad daylight 


M 


m 


OF    PATRICK    GASR. 


45 


During 
ions  liis 
iincercly 
5  in  vain 
3ntal  ro- 
ncd  Mm 
(lid  not 
Ho  ^vas 
ild  wind 
lie  rivier 
he  name 
virtncs. 
e  far- fa - 
,  of  bet- 
ed about 
.     Sixty 
ace  del- 
l  a  dog, 
n  cheap 
five  of 
d  deer- 
drum, 
seemed 
ado,  a 
for  the 
all  as- 
lurpose. 
In  of  the 
e beads 
e  dan- 
claws 
inty  ov 
laylighfc 


in  the  morning."  No  squaws,  says  our  author,  made 
their  appearance  in  this  dance,  whence  we  conclude  that 
the  "stag  dance"  is  not  peculiar  to  the  uprorious  youths 
of  white  blood  who  occasionally  indulge  in  such  exclu- 
sive saltatory  exercise. 

Unfortunately,  here,  their  French  interpreter,  over- 
come by  the  importunities  of  his  Indian  friends,  left 
them,  having  had  a  bettor  bid  from  the  chiefs  of  the 
party,  to  accompany  them  to  AVashington,  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  interpreter  for  them. 

On  Sunday,  the  2d  of  September,  they  encamped  op- 
posite an  ancient  carthern  breast-work,  2500  yards  in 
length,  running  parallel  to  the  Missouri,  and  with  wing 
walls,  at  right  angles,  very  similar  to  the  Indian  forti- 
fications now  known  to  be  of  frequent  occurence  in  the 
west. 

The  question  of  who  were  the  builders  of  these  works 
and  what  is  their  history  has  occupied  the  time  and  at- 
tention of  antiquarians  for  a  great  many  years,  but  as 
yet,  it  is  involved  in  impenetrable  mystery.  An  inter- 
estinij  memoir,  by  Mr.  J.  A.  Lapham,  published  under 
the  patronage  of  the  Smithsonian  Institute,  throws  some 
light  on  the  physical  features  of  these  antiquities,  which 
to  a  remarkable  extent,  abound  in  the  State  of  Wiscon- 
sin. Under  his  surveys,  the  lines  as  drafted  on  paper, 
assume  the  figures  of  various  animals,  deified  to  this  day 
by  the  Indian^  such  as  lizzards,  turtles,  buffalo,  tkc,  a 
fact  which  very  readily  escaped  the  cursory  notice  of  the 
earlier  travellers,  overgrown  as  were  many  of  the  sites 
with  trees  and  brushwood,  but  which  is  material,  as  go- 
ing to  show  that  they  were  intended  rather  for  religious 
uses,  than  for  purposes  of  war  or  defence.  This  theory 
is  also  confirmed  by  the  fact  that  many  of  them  are  ele- 


ill  %[ 

V  ' 


; 


!  i 


II 


m   f' 


46 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


vatcd  only  a  few  inclies  above  th(3  surfucc  of  the  ground. 
apparently  mere  embossments  or  relievos.  At  the  ex- 
treme end  of  a  prairie,  4^  miles  west  of  the  Mississippi, 
and  the  same  distance  cast  of  the  Little  St.  Francis,  ex- 
ists a  curious  erection,  described  as  follows^  by  a  corres- 
pondent of  the  St.  Louis  "Ilopublican":  It  consists  of 
an  oblong  square  averaging  225  foet  each  way,  with  an 
altitude  of  twenty  seven  feet  on  the  southside  and  twen- 
ty one  on  the  north,  on  the  border  of  what  was  once  a 
lake,  with  an  area  of  an  acre  of  level  land  on  the  top. — 
The  foundation  was  commenced  on  a  level  with  the  sub- 
jacent land,  and  consisted  of  a  coat  of  plaster  seven  in- 
ches thick,  and  burnt  in  several  places,  on  Avhich  was 
placed  the  dry  composition  consisting  of  clay,  sand, 
lime,  ashes,  pouudcMl  shells,  and  charcoal,  carefully  mix- 
ed, and  beat  to  a  hard  concrete  substance,  and  bo  on, 
until,  the  height  above  named  was  obtained,  and  then 
a  coat  of  plastering  had  been  spread  over  the  whole 
work  three  inches  thick,  and  burned  to  a  brick  redness; 
but  before  burning  the  common  wild  cane  was  split  and 
the  concave  side  turned  down,  and  laid  longitudinally 
close  together,  and  pressed  into  the  soft  plaster,  so  that 
the  impressions  are  now  as  visible  as  ever;  the  whole 

intermediate  space  between  the  two  coats  of  plaster  be- 
ing of  the  composition  above  named,  in  the  recesses  of 

which  wore  often  found  pots  inside  of  which  were  human 

skulls,  sound  and  bottom  upwards,  and  other  pots  sound 

as  ever,  full  of  dry  and  fresh  looking  ai^iOS,  as  though 

they  had  been  burning  incense.    It  is  evident  that  this 

large  mound  was  not  a  place  of  burial,  as  no  skeletons 

were  found  and  the  adjacent  fields  aro  full.     Neither  do 

the  smaller  mounds,  contiguous  and  around  the  larger 

one,  seem  to  have  been  designed  for  thivt  purpose 


OF   PATRICK    0A8S. 


47 


ground, 
t  the  ex- 
sissippi, 
icis,  ex- 
a  coires- 
usists  ol 
wiih  nil. 
ud  tweii- 
once   Ji 

0  top. — 

1  the  sub - 
3evcn  in- 
lich  was 
,y,  sand, 
illy  mix- 
k1  so  on, 
and  then 
le  whole 

redness; 

split  and 

udinally 

,  so  that 

10  whole 

[ister  be- 
cesscs  of 
e  human 
ts  sound 
though 
ihat  this 
Ikeletons 
lither  da 
Le  larger 
1-posQ.— . 


Many  animal  and  some  human  bones  wore  found  in  the 
body  of  the  mound,  together  with  images  and  fragments 
of  ivory,  maibleand  mica." 

It  htta  been  remarked  in  this  connection  that  these 
works  are  umformly  on  what  is  called  the  second  banks 
of  the  rivers,  and  from  this  assumption,  it  is  argued 
tliat  their  origin  dates  back  to  a  period  anterior jto  that 
when  the  present  channels  of  the  rivers  wore  excavated. 
This,  is  not  strictly  true,  and  is  giving  them  antiquity 
unwarranted,  at  least,  by  observation  among  the  tumuli 
of  the  valley  of  the  Ohio  river.  These  latter  are  not  uni- 
formly, though  generally,  on  the  second  banks  of  the  ri- 
ver; their  location  seeming  to  have  been  determined  on 
the  former,  rather  by  the  gravelly  character  of  the  ma- 
terial, than  by  the  absence  of  a  lirst  or  more  alluvial 
bottom,  on  which  to  place  them.  The  existence  of 
even  one,  on  ground  of  this  latter  quality,  proves  incon- 
testribly,  that  the  builders  lived  subsequent  to  the  oper- 
ation of  the  causes  whatever  they  were,  that  produced 
tlio  second  banks  of  the  Ohio.  To  that  period  even, 
the  geologists  can  only  approximate  in  their  calculations, 
and  it  is  giving  them  a  place  sufficiently  back  in  remote 
antiquity,  when  we  say  that  they  were  founded  not  ne- 
cessarily prior  to  the  formation  of  the  alluvial  banks 
of  the  western  rivers.  Remains  of  this  kind  are  found 
in  some  cases  even  on  the  alluvial  bottoms  of  the  creeks 
flowing  into  the  Ohio,  as  for  instance  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Bethany,  Brooke  County,  Va.,  six  miles  distant 
from  the  river,  there  were  several  small  ones,  now  near- 
ly obliterated.  One  of  these  was  opened  by  some  stu- 
dents a  few  years  ago  and  found  to  contain  little,  if  any 
thing  else  than  a  few  human  bones,  giving  no  evidence 
that  it  had  been  erected  for  any  other  purpose   than  as 


!!'•  ■■ 


■I      ;•! 


;    !. 


i  I 


» 


lll 

'ill    l'  ^ 

fflii    ^^ 

ilBi    ^ .  i 

fflii  'H 

■lli  i  ffl 

HH     1 11  U 

4B 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


a  monument  to  tlic  memory  of  the  person  buried  1)0- 
noatli  it.  In  fact,  lew  of  the  Indian  mounds,  tliat  have 
hcen  explored,  havo  rewarded  the  hibor  of  their  explor- 
ers, other,  than  hy  convincing  them  that  there  was  very 
little  to  he  found.  The  groat  mound  at  Grave  Creek, 
promised  some  dovolopements  but  they  are  considered 
somewhat  apocryphal.  A  few  bones,  relics  of  pottery 
charred  corn,  shells,  stone  implements  of  war  or  labor, 
an  occasional  scrap  of  rudely  shaped  native  copper,  com- 
prise about  all  that  is  generally  to  bo  found  under  these 
immense  heaps  of  earth,  piled,  doubtless  in  barbarian 
pride,  over  the  remains  of  some  ancient  chieftain,  to 
signify  by  their  stupendous  size  his  corresponding  im- 
portance in  their  eyes;  and  by  their  interior  poverty,  to 
warrant  them  against  curiosity  or  cupidity. 

Te  following  account  of  an  antique  engraved  stone, 
ibund  some  years  ago  in  the  Grave  Creek  mound  on 
the  Ohio,  has  recently  attracted  attention  by  the  paper 
of  Dr.  Wills  Dellass,  read  before  the  Ethnologic  so- 
.eiety  of  New  York.  This  very  cui-ious  relic  of  antiqui- 
ty, as  Dr.  DcHass  appears  to  have  proved  it  to  he,  was 
noticed  some  years  ago  by  W.  B.  Hodgson,  Esq.,  of 
Savannah,  in  his  ''Notes  on  Northern  Africa,  the  Saha- 
ra, and  Soudan:"  Mr.  Hodgson,  says:  "Near  one  of 
the  skeletons  in  the  lower  vault  was  found  the  stone 
in  question,  with  three  linos  of  alphabetic  characters. — 
It  is  of  an  oval  foi'm,  three-fourths  of  an  inch  thick,  and 
its  material  is  a  tine  sand-stone.  This  is  the  only  ex- 
ample, I  believe,  of  ancient  alphabetic  inscription  in 
North  A-merica.  The  inscrijitions  on  the  Dighton  rock 
and  the  pictorial  writing  of  Mexico  and  Yucatan,  are 
symbolic,  not  alphabetic.  The  history  of  this  trilincar 
lapidary  inscription,  I  had  at  first  regarded  as  apoch- 


or    rATRFCK    fJASH. 


49 


ryphul.  Mr.  Srlioolrrnft  luia,  liowovor confirmod  itand 
(loscril)cJ  the  stone.  Who  was  tluj  j^orLToon.s  chioftain 
whoso  onc^ravod  sii^not  was  found  hy  his  slcU^?  Did  lio 
roTn(>  from  tlm  Canary  islands,  whnro  tho  Xnmidiari 
rharantors  and  lanij^uat^o  provailod?  Shall  wo  rccnr  to 
Uio  lost  Atlantis?  ( '<»uld  any  of  tlio  r'artliaojcuiian  or 
African  vcssols,  which  usually  visit(?d  the  "I^'ortunatii" 
or  Canary  islands,  liavo  hoen  carried  to  tho  Now  World? 
Tho  j)C0plinp^  of  America  is  quite  as  lilcoly  to  be  due 
to  Africa  and  Europe  as  to  Asia,  History  prosorvoM^ 
the  memory  of  the  circumnavijj^ation  of  Africa  l>y  sevp- 
ral  expeditions.  Tho  Poriplus  of  ITanno,  tho  (jartha- 
,!j^cnian,  was  the  suhject  of  a  written  narrative.  With 
these  historical  indications  that  tho  Atlantic  Avas  m 
earh'ac^es  navigated  l»y  Mediterranean  vessels,  I  find  no 
difficulty  in  su^jposing  the  stone  in  question  to  liavo 
lioen  brouc^ht  thence." 

The  fact  of  huge  trees  of  nxany  hundred  years  growth 
u]M)n  tlieir  ruins,  incontestibly  establishes  a  very  re- 
mote antiquity,  and  the  occasional  discovery  of  relics, . 
displaying  some  proficiency  in  the  mecli.inic  arts,  as  cer- 
tainly proves  that  their  origin  is  beyond  the  present 
tribes  of  Indians,  who  are  tlicmselves  as  much  in  tlue 
dark  as  to  these  points,  as  are  the  whites  theTuselves. 
Even  their  traditions  are  silent,  and  unlike  the  Egyp- 
tians, the  founders  .-f  ihesc  monuments  have  left  not 
even  hieroglyphics,  which  the  art  and  industry  of  some 
yankee  Chai'ipolion  or  Layard.  "•night  peradventure  ren- 
der into  readable  English,  '^l.'hey  are  impen(»trable  mys- 
t<^ries,  and  although  they  will  jirobably  always  so  re- 
main, they  will  no^'.-er  cease  to  be  objects  of  curiosity 
and  researcli,  until  under  tlie  utilitarian  hand  of  indus- 
try, the  ruthless  plougli  shall  level  them  with  the  land. 


I      'i 


1' 


.')(> 


1-1 FE    AND    TIMEH 


and  blot  out  foivvtM*  nn<l  forcAiT,  tlu!  littlo  pitiful  vcs- 
ti^o  that  roniiiius  of  what  mny  iuivo  houu  oiico  aiuiixhty, 
.1  i)r()S])crous  and  a  hajijty  iicoplc. 

Liy  this  time  tlu'y  hail  coiuo  intotho  prairio  country 
<if  tlio  Ponc'us  Jndians,  on  tlic  wators  of  "Ilai»id-\vat»M-- 
rivor,"  Plum  and  White  Paint  crcckN;  tho  ilivorsilicil 
naturn  of  tho  landscape  has  chanu^od,  and  instead  of 
tiie  ji^ently  rolling  ])lains  of  tlu;  Kansas,  the  eye  Avan- 
denni  over  interminable  levels,  whih?  the  river  mean- 
dered with  a  more  HluL^'ici'^l'  eui'rent  between  low  banks 
and  blutl's  more  or  less  hi^di  of  varied  colored  clay.  Tho 
e-ouutry  still  continued  well  timbered,  and  game  in  abuu- 
daneo.  About  this  time,  Capts.  Lewis  and  Clark,  witli 
a11  tho  party  except  the  cam]>-guard,  made  a  foray  uj)- 
ou  a  village  of  jjrairie  dogs,  and  though  they  worked 
all  day  and  delugcsl  their  holes  with  torrents  of  water 
with  all  the  vessels  they  eould  extern  '">rize,  nightfall 
t'onud    them  the   possessors  of  but  unlucky  dog, 

whose  points  noted  in  silence,  and  hide  quickly  prejta- 
red  by  the  naturalist  of  tho  Exiiedition,  ])erhaps  fig- 
ures to  thid  day  among  the  curiosities  of  Washington 
Citv. 

Pursuing  the  tenor  of  their  way,  now  occasionally  di- 
\ersitied  with  tugging  their  boats  over  the  frequent  shal- 
lows of  the  river,  and  occasionally  adding  some  ran; 
animal,  bird,  petrifaction  or  other  curiosity  to  their  col- 
leetion  of  novelties,  not  iimch  of  interest  occurs  in  the 
narration  of  their  journey.  Dy  the  liOth  they  had  reach- 
ed a  long  chain  of  bluffs,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Mis- 
souri, of  it  dark  color,  the  earth  of  which  ''dissolves  like 
sugar,"  and  the  mixture  of  large  quantities  of  which  in 
the  rapid  current,  gives  its  waters  their  muddy  tinge. 

On  the  25th,  anothor  conference  took  place  between 


OF    rATlUrK    GABS. 


51 


till'  r'jii>tiiiiis  and  u  (Iclopitioii  of  tlio  Tcoton  branch  of 
tii<'  Sioux  liulians,  whicli  rosnltod  in  aniiitnaloxrhan^'c 
ot'«'ivIlitit;H,  tlin  nuiki!it?ofs(>voral  oftlit)  J.inlian>),  chiels. 
auil  canio  noar  cndinjjf  in  a  luush.  I'liisoccinroil  about, 
in  tiiis  wiise:  After  tlio  (•or('nioui<'s'of tlicconfcrcnco  wvn- 
ovor,  (Japt.  Clarke,  K(Mit  th(!  n<'\v  niaib;  eliiofx  asliftrc  in 
tJm  PiMio^ruo,  with  sonio  of  his  ni«'n,  l)Ut  when  tlioy  Ian 
lieii,  I  ..;  Indians  liad  taken  such  a  fancy  to  tla;  boat, 
that  they  hiid  claim  to  it,  and  were  disjiosod  to  [ircviiit 
its  return  to  its  proper  owners.  'I'o  Ca|)t.  (.'hirke'H  threats 
thtjy  replied  that  they  had  <nldiois  as  ^^oiul  as  his,  and 
nuniorouH  us  the  lcav«,'s  of  the;  trees,  but  whimsically 
enough,  when  ho  told  them  he  had  niodicino  cnongij  in 
his  boat  to  kill  twenty  such  nations  iu  one  tluy,  the 
magnitude  of  tlie  idon  ([uite  conciuered  them,  and  they 
surrendered  the  bout  in  di.snniy,  asserting  apologetical- 
ly, that  they  only  wanted  the  }iarty  to  stay  with  ihem 
over  night  that  tlieir  women  and  children  might  see  tiic 
boat.  So  favorable  was  the  impression  niaile  upon  the 
simple  natives  by  this  medicine  talk  of  T'apt.  (.'Jarke, 
that  the  next  wc  liearof  them,  eight  sturdy  savages  are 
uirrying  Capt.  Lewis,  and  as  many  more,  Capt.  Clarke, 
on  their  shoulders  in  Buffalo  robes  into  their  Council 
ht)use,  where  not  less  than  a  dozen  dogs  were  sacriticed 
and  the  night  passed  in  carousing,  eating  and  smoking, 
in  honor  of  their  visitors.  This  time  the  squaws  took 
part  in  the  dance. 

In  regard  to  those  Indians,  Mr.  Gass,  makes  the  fol- 
lowing rather  dubious  mention:  "They  are  the  most 
friendly  people  I  ever  saw;  but  they  will  pilfer  if  they 
Uijve  opportunity.  They  are  also  very  dirty;  the  wat- 
er they  mal:n  use  of,  is  carried  in  tlio  paunches  of  the  an- 
imals they  kill,  just  as  they  are  emptied  ;:rithout  being 


52 


MKn    AND    TIMI'!? 


i 


*     ! 


('Icaiit^d.  Tlioy  ,l!:ji\ ('  ns  disluvs  of  viflniils  of  viiridun 
kinds;  I  litid  ncvci-  seen  inivlliinjj^  like?  some  of  rnour^ 
dishes,  nor  could  1  Icll  oTwIimI  iniri'^^dicMifw  or  how(ln\v 
AV(nv  nindc."  P.-Hrick's  nc<iniiin(nn('(' Avilli  tlm  Indian 
(^lisith'  wjis  liniilcd,  l)nl.  his  sloniuch  Wiin  strong,  jind 
not  to  <lo  disconrtcsy  (o  iho  ]i(>s|ti(nlily  of  Ids  liosts,  \\o 
wus  no  donl)<  oonstniincd  to  jDirlnkc  of  many  n,  nionN 
that  wouM  no(  so  well  havt'  suited  his  Jasles  nnioni!:  his 
nion^  «k'\inly  I't'cdiu!;'  IVicnds  al  h(nn(\  l»ul  Ji  travrlh'r 
innst  Ix' ;;  |:!nlos<i]>h('r,  and  our  hero.  siu\|dy  slnlcs  i\w 
incls  without  irivinixns  any  iukii".i;as  lo  his  siuisafions, 
or  iudulu'in!.;  in  any  rcllcci  ions  u]>on  Ihc  din'iMiMn'cs  in 
taste  that  |U(>\  ail  in  diricrtMil  localities.  At  this(anij), 
they  liad  a  contiiuuMl  round  oi' lestivit ies,  in  which  nil 
liands  s<'eni(Ml  aniiahly  hent  upon  co.itrihutin.L!:  to  tire 
deli:;ht  ol"  their  «j::u(>sIs,  until  when  the  time  came  lor  leu- 
vini;,  in  the  c^xcess  of  theii'  kimhn^ss  Ilie\  vie/,ed  the  rojK» 
and  woulil  iiot  allow  tluMu  to  dcpait.  To  speed  tlti* 
pnrtinu:  j^m^st,  is  ji  maxim  (^fcivili/ed  liospilality,  thai 
did  not  siVMU  to  ite  a]>]U'ecial(Ml  hy  th(^  Sioux,  and  the 
iieLjh'Ct  came  ni;;-h  heiui;'  .sHcinh^d  with  dil'lictdry,  for 
<'apt.  li(nvis,  l)ec(uninu"ch(d(M'ic,  was  just  on  the  ])oint 
oVijivin!^  orders  to  liic  on  tliem,  Avhim  the  point  was 
coni])romi,>i\l  i)y  a  carrat  oi"  tobacco  heinu'  i^iven  tlio 
oiiiefs,  so  tliat  they  min'ht  u,'o  ini  peace.  These  an(H'- 
dotes  may  seem  trilliuij:  enough,  hut  they  hour  the  im- 
pn\ss  ol"  truth,  and  ,L!,'iv(^  a  moi(^  correct  idea  of  Ijidian 
character  than  ]ia!;'<'s  of  hii)ored  description  could  ailford. 
Tliey  show  the  Indian  in  liis  true  light  before  oomniu- 
lucjition  with  the  wliitc  man  hadnltcrod  their  nature. — 
imjuilsivo  and  impressible  nscliildren,  with  little  ideas 
of  the  rights  of  pro]ierty,  superstitious  to  a  degree,  tick- 
led into  good  humor  by  a  glittering  bauble,  or  provoked 


'■■J 


or-    r'ATIffCK    OAHH. 


5fi 


into  nrkn.'llcrtinjLC  un.L':<'r  liy  us  Hli,Lclit.  ii  ('nnm> — iccrM-Toim 
toil  IVifMid,  (ixuctiii;^  «<)  Hiom"  in  llicir  \><>w(:r,  n.'Niritlfyw 
l,<i  tJic.ir  (nioinioM,  hriivo  uii'i  ftMVfirdly  l»y  tiirriH,  cr/il'fy 
aiiij  y('(-si!iii)l<),  tlirir  rliuiarjcr  is  ii  tisHiio  f>r  contnylu'- 
tituin  and  ycit  (•oriHiKhiiit  \vitli  itself.  Af  fliis  iinif!  jlw-v 
wc.nM'onipiirativfdy  iiri!H''(iiuiri(<'d  with  (li'(  u-liif<'H,  arid 
tii(5  n.'itiv<j  (diuract<;r  luiviriLV  Inir  oppoif unity  tfj  r|cv<4r.j/ 
itwdl,  |i'!i'lmf)S  ii  trin'r  idcu  of  lli';  r»!ul  \V(;,st*!rn  Jruliaii, 
(!»ui  h(^li!id  IVoin  tlio  .Joiirnui  of  .Mr.  (iuMH,  tliuri  f-jin  ^m 
^iiiiKMl  from  any  Hnl)KO(|n<Mit,  hoiiicc,  Siiif,-*!  IImti,  t)»'v 
have  become  indo(lrinut(!d  uitli  iiiiinyncw  ideas  Iry  ha- 
bitual int(!rcours(!  witb  \vbit,<'  men,  as  well  u.s  corrnpt*'!! 
by  his  vieeH,  ho  that  th(!  Indian  (d'to  ihiy  in  almost  an- 
otJuir  beinjj;from  tliu  India;;  of  half  centnry  a^'(;. 

J>y  the  1st.  ofOulober,  tiiey  had  reaehed  tiie  wnv  J>u 
(Allien  or  Dog  river,  a  hirL,^<3  ti  ibutary  of  the  Mihsouri, 
fnmi  the  soutli.  Above,  the  eonrse  of  river  was  ob- 
Htrnetcd  by  .sand  bars  rendering  the  navigation  (lin"."dt. 
A  Frenchman,  wiiom  they  mi't  with,  hyre,  informed 
tiicjiii  thi)t  they  wouhl  not  encounter  any  mon;  Jndians  un- 
til they  camo  into  the  country  of  the  Ji:(;karees,  and  an- 
<^»rdinglyoa  the  Uth  Iriving  rea(d>e^l  a  village  of  tliis  n.'i- 
tifjji,  tlu^y  prepared  to  hold  a  council.  The  village  con- 
Histed  of  about  si.vty  lodgen,  of  the  construction  of 
wfiich,  Mr.  Gasy  gives  the  following  description.  "Jn 
a  drclo  of  a  si/:o  suited  to  the  dimensions  of  the  intoiui- 
oii  lodge,  they  set  ^)[>  sixteen  forked  posts  five  or  jsix 
foot  high,  and  lay  roles  from  one  post  to  anotlier.  A- 
gaiust  those  poles  they  lean  otlier  poles,  slanting  ffom 
the  ground,  and  extending  about  four  inches  above  tlm 
poles:  these  arc  to  receive  the  ends  of  the  upper  poks, 
that  support  the  roof.  They  next  set  up  four  large  forks, 
fiftoou  feet  high,  and  about  ten  feet  apart,  in  tUa  mid- 


54 


T.IFE    AND    TIMES 


dlo  of  the  area;  ami  polos  or  beams  between  these. — 
The  roof  polos  are  then  laid  on,  extending  from  the  low- 
er polos  across  the  beams  which  rest  on  the  middle  forks, 
of  such  alength  as  to  leave  a  hole  at  the  top  for  a  chim- 
ney. The  whole  is  then  covered  with  willow  branciu's, 
'ixcopt  the  chimney  and  a  hole  below,  to  pass  thnjucjh. 
On  the  willow  branches  they  lay  grass  and  lastly  clay. 
At  the  hi>le  below  they  build  a  pen  about  four  feet  wide 
■ind  projecting  tan  foot  from  the  hut;  and  hang  a  buffa- 
lo skin,  at  the  entrance  of  the  hut  for  a  door.  This 
labour  like  every  other  kind  is  chielly  performed  by  the 
squaws.  They  raise  cor^p,  beans  and  tobacco.  Their 
tobacco  is  different  from  .iny  1  had  before  seen;  it'un- 
swers  for  smoking,  but  not  for  chewing.  On  onr  re- 
turn, I  crossei  from  thsr  island  to  the  boat,  with  two 
squaws  in  a  burt'alo  skin  stretched  on  a  frame  madp  of 
l)oughs,  wove  together  like  a  crate  or  basket  for  that 
purpose.  Captain  Lewis  and  Captain  Clarke  held  a 
Council  with  the  Indians,  and  gave  them  some  pres- 
ents." 

Here  tiiey  found  two  Frenchmen  living  with  tbo  In- 
dians, one  to  inierpret  and  the  other  to  do  their  trad- 
ing. A  council  was  held  \vith  this  nation  which  ended 
in  an  interchange  of  presents  and  of  amicable  proUi«ta- 
tions;  and  the  party  persued  their  journey  among  them 
not  onlv  unmolested,  but  received  with  marked  civiiitv. 
Mr.  Ga^  s,  characterizes  the  Rickarees  as  the  most  clean- 
Iv  India. IS  he  saw  on  the  vovage  as  well  as  the  most 
friendly  and  industrious.  A  hunting  party,  which  they 
encountered  in  their  w/iy  back  to  their  village,  had, 
Kays  he,  twelve  buflfalo-skin  canoes  or  boats  laden  with 
meat  and  skins;  besides  some  horses  that  were  going 
down  the  bank  by  land.     They   gave  us  part  of  their 


m 


.,Mr 


OF    I'ATUK  K    iJASH. 


55 


In- 
r  trail - 
ended 

g  theru 

ivility. 

clean - 

111081 

* 

1  tber 
had, 
with 


"f  meat.     TIio  party  consistod  of  men,   women  und  child- 

I  rcn.     Hliortly  after  they  saw  another   party   of  hnntci^, 

I  who  asked  them  to  eat.  and  were  very  kind  and  gave 

tliem  feoiae  i.ieat.     One  of  these  requested  to  speak  witli 
ouryouni;  s([uaw,  wlio  for  some  time  hid  herself;  bnt  at 
last  eanui  out  and  spoke  witli  liim.     She  then  W(uit  on 
shore  and  talked  with  him,  and  gave  him  a  pair  f>f  ejir- 
rings  and  drojis  for  leave  to  eome  with  them:  and  when 
the  horn  bknv  for  all  liands  to  come  on   board,  she  left 
iliem  antl  came  to  tlio  boat.     81ie  shortly  afterwards  left 
them  and  found  another  hunting  party    of  IvickanMjs, 
In  the  evening,  a  sliort  time  before  they  encr.rnpcd,  they 
met  with  another  hunting  party  of  the  sr.me  tribo.     They 
had  a  iloek  of  goats,  or  antelopes,  in  the  river,   and  kill- 
ed upwards  of  forty  of  them.     Captain   I^owis,  and  one 
of  our  hunters  went  out  and  killed  three  of  thosamoflr)ck, 
of  more  than  almndred." 

Tliey  pushed  onward  toward  the  country  of  the  Man- 
dans  and  on  their  way  up  encountered  a  couple  of  French- 
men who  had  been  hunting  in  the  nation,  but  were  rob- 
bed by  a  party,  of  tlieir  arms,  amunition  and  peltry, and 
were  on  their  w  lack  very  disconsolate.  They  were 
glad  to  be  taken  aLoar*!  of  tlio  boats  entert  ining  hopt*!? 
that  they  might,  though  the  interference  oi  ('aptjiin 
Lewis's  party,  regain  their  property,  and  being  acquiiint- 
iid  with  the  language,  their  company  was  |Uit<;  an  ac- 
quisition. 

They  passed  in  a  short  time,  the  place  where  the 
Frenchmen  had  l>een  robbed,  but  no  Indians  wei*c  to  b<. 
seen  in  the  neighborhood  except  alnr  ag  party  of  the 
Sioux,  coming  down  from  tlie  Mandau  nation,  clothed 
nly  in  breech  clouts,  notwithstanding  that  the  weather 
had  become  extremely  cold  and  disagreeable. 


o 


56 


LIFE    AND    TIMEH 


lliis  was  in  tbo  month  of  Octuber,  1804,  and  our  trav- 
ollcra  ttit3  tar  up  tbo  Missonri  in  the  country  of  the  Man- 
dans,  with  tlio  prospect  of  an  early  and  severe  winter 
lx>foro  them,  tlie  discovery  of  an  Irisliman  among  t]ie»e 
Indians  is  considered  an  inci(h>nt  wortliy  of  note,  as  no 
dunht  was  the  sight  ofa  wliiui    skin  from  any  qnarttjr; 
bnt  passing  on,  day  by  day,   tiny  pushed  fartiier  into 
the  wilderness,  until  Oct.  *i7tb,  their  observations  show- 
o<l  thciii  that  they  had  travel U>d  IGlO  miles  from  tlte 
iiioutli  of  the  river  Dubois,  wlience  they  ])ad  first  em- 
barked.    'They  had  averaged  scant  ten    miles  per  day 
from  the  time  of  their  departure,  yet  theirs  was  an  "orig- 
inal enterprise,   and  they  had  progressed  as  rapidly  as 
the  nature  of  the  circumstances  would  allow.     By  this 
time  they  began  to  entertain  serious  thoughts  of  going 
into  winter  (juarters  and  as   it  Avas  apparent   that  they 
\v"aroto  domicile    with  the  Mandans,  it    became    good 
policy  on  tlieir   part  to  make  fair  weather  with  their 
prospective  companions.     Accordingly,  extensive  prep- 
arations were  made  for  a  grand  talk,  the  display  accom- 
panyng  which  was  to  strike  admiration  into  their  hearts. 
When  the  principal  men    from  all  the  villages  of  the 
Mandans  had  assembled,  the  swivel  was  iired  from  the 
bt)w  of  the  Captain's  boat,  and  at  11  o'clock  the  Com- 
manding oftiecrs,  rigged  in  appropriate,  though  tarnish- 
ed regimentals,  took  the   Chiefs  by  the  liand  with  be- 
coming ceremony.     Capt.  Lewis  through  the  interpre- 
ter delivered  a  speech,  gave  a  suit  of  clothes  to  each  of 
tilt)  head  men  and  some  presents  of  less  value  for  dis- 
trihution  in  the  villages.     As  a  special  mark  of  consid- 
eration, he  presented  to  the  united  Mandan  nation,  an 
Iron  Mill,  in  which  to  grind  their  corn.     This  marvel- 
ona  liberality  quite  conquered  them,  and  in  token  of 


OP   TATRMK    OASS. 


Oi 


nr trav- 
lio  Mun- 
!  "winter 

Iff  tllC»(.' 

0,  as  110 

(]nart(!r; 

Iior  into 

18  sliow- 

roiii  tlvc 

:rst  cm- 

2)er  ilay 

II  "orig- 

pidly  as 

By  this 

3f  going 

lat  they 

le   good 

ith  tkeir 

vo  prep- 

'  acconi- 

rliearts. 

of  the 

om  the 

le  Coin- 

taniibh- 

vith  be- 

iterpre- 

each  of 

for  dis- 

consid- 

ion,  an 

narvel- 

okeii  of 


'm 


everlasting  friondsliip,  they  presented  the  Captain  witli 
10  bushtds  of  corn,  and  a  (h»putation  from  tlieir  nuni- 
!)or  volunteered  their  services  to  assist  him  in  selecting 
,i  suitable  site  for  a  winter  cu»  impment. 

Whoever  has  read  the  romantic  adventures  of  Ca}it. 
.(olin  Smith,  uiriong  the  Indians  of  Virginia,  will  dis- 
cover a  striking  resemblance  betwcH'n  his  experience  as 
handed  down  to  us  by  himself  and  his  chroniclers,  and 
thttr  of  our  voyagers.  The  same  traits  seem  to  have 
predominated  in  both  instances,  and  their  exercise  has 
been  followed  with  like  results.  Both  found  tlu;  In- 
dians disposed  to  be  friendly  but  treacherous;  and  both 
found  that  hospitality  abused  could  be  easily  converteil 
into  deadlv  (uimily.  As  Jfackluyt  savs  of  the  Viri^inia 
Indians:  "They  are  a  peoi»le  gentle,  loving,  faithful, 
void  of  guile,  cruel,  blood}',  destroying  whole  tribes  in 
their  domestic  fiuuls;  u^ing  base  stratagems  agaiubl 
their  enemies,  whom  they  invited  to  feasts  and  killed." 
In  both  eases  the  facile  Jndian  has  yielded  to  the  grasp- 
ing, r<.>bust  Anglo-Saxon;  and  but  a  few  more  years 
will  elapse  en3  the  llicarees,  the  Sioux,  the  Mandans, 
and  the  redmen  of  every  tribe  and  kindred  that  yet  lin- 
ger on  our  borders,  will  have  gone  to  join  the  shades  of 
the  Powhatans,  the  ^Mohegans,  the  Narragansetts,  and 
the  l*0(|uo(ls,  in  that  eternal  hunting  ground,  where 
alone,  they  will  be  secure  from  the  advancing  tread  tiud 
death-distributing  knowledge  of  the  white  man. 

A  spot  was  soon  found,  surrounded  with  cotton-wood 
and  suitably  situated  for  an  encampment,  and  on  tlic  2d 
of  Novemlxir,  1804,  they  commenced  to  prepare  theii- 
winter  tpiarters.  They  nuirked  out  a  square,  and  ereo- 
tod  two  equal  rOvvs  of  huts,  meeting  each  other  at  right 
angles.     They  designed  to  enclose   the  other  two  Kide« 


1 


(  i 


ii' 


58 


UFB    AND   TIMES 


of  the  square  with  pickets.  The  exterior  side  of  the 
enclosure  presented  an  elevation  of  eighteen  feet,  the 
inside  of  about  eight  and  they  wore  made  comfortable 
r.gainst  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  as  well  as  secure 
against  any  tricks  of  their  capricious  Indian  friends. — 
About  the  16th,  there  came  a  heavy  fall  of  snow,  and 
they  moved,  at  once,  into  their  unfinished  cabins.  They 
were  well  supplied  with  provisions,  and,  all  considered, 
as  comfortable  as  they  could  expect  to  be  in  their  situ- 
ation. 

Winter  had  now  set  in,  in  earnest,  and  our  voyagers 
improved  their  time  in  hunting.  Taking  advantage  of 
tlie  appearance  of  the  Buffalo,  which  the  snows  had 
driven  in  upon  the  river  bottoms,  they  killed  a  great 
number;  in  one  expedition  they  and  the  Indians  togeth- 
er, destroyed  some  fifty.  The  Indians  mounted  on  hor- 
ses trained  to  the  business,  shot  the  animals  with  ar- 
rows. In  this  business  they  were  very  expert.  Large 
quantities  of  meat  were  laid  in  at  this  time,  against  the 
time  when  the  increasing  severity  of  the  cold  would  put 
an  end  to  hunting.  This  time  was  not  very  long  delay- 
ed. In  a  few  days  the  weather  became  so  intensely  cold 
as  to  freeze  proof  spirits  in  fifteen  minutes.  Several  of 
the  party  were  badly  frost-bitten,  and  even  the  Indians 
suffered  from  the  same  cause.  About  this  time  a  hunt- 
ing party  of  eight  Mandan  Indians  was  attacked  by  the 
Sioux,  one  of  their  number  killed,  and  their  horses, 
&c.,  taken  by  the  marauders.  The  facts  were  reported 
to  Capt.  Clarke,  and  he  and  twenty -three  men  of  the 
party  started  in  pursuit.  They  tried  to  induce  a  party 
of  the  Indians  to  accompany  them,  but  they  declined, 
owing,  as  they  asserted,  to  the  extreme  cold  weather, 
and  the  expedition  was,  perhaps,  wisely,  abandoned. 


I 

■1^ 


side  of  the 
n  feet,  the 
omfortable 
1  as  secure 
friends. — 
mow,  and 
ins.  They 
onsidered, 
their  sitii- 


r  voyagers 
vantage  of 
mows  had 
d  a  great 
ns  togeth- 
ed  on  hor- 
s  with  ar- 
t.     Large 
gainst  the 
would  put 
>ng  dolay- 
nsely  cold 
Several  of 
e  Indians 
le  a  hunt- 
3d  bv  the 
ir  horses, 
!  reported 
m  of  the 
!e  a  party 
declined, 
weather, 
doned. 


I 


OP   TATRICK    OA88. 


59 


R.'l!iii'l 


Christmas  day^was  ushered  in  by  a  discharge  from 
their  swivel,  and  a'round  of  small  arms  by  the  whole 
corps,  the  convivial  glass  was  freely  passed,  and  the 
American  flag  was  hoisted  on  the  ramparts  of  the  little 
fort,  now  first  christened  Fort  Mandan,  and  its  a])pear- 
ance,  as  it  first  waved  on  the  breeze,  was  greeted  with 
another  glass  very  unanimously  drank.  The  balance 
of  the  day  was  devoted  to  mirth  and  jolification  and  the 
holliday  wound  up  with  a  general  danco  in  which  all 
hands  participated.  The  precise  location  of  Fort  Man- 
dan,  as  deteiinined  by  astronomical  observation  is,  47 
deg.,  21m.,  328.,  north  latitude,  being  near  the  north- 
ern bend  of  the  river  and  distant  by  their  measurement 
1610  miles  from  its  -mouth.  It  is  called  on  the  maps  of 
this  day  Fort  Clarke,  and  is  still  a  place  of  some  re- 
soi't  among  the  traders  in  those  remote  regions.    . 

j3ere  appears  a  chasm  in  the  narrative  of  Mr.  (J  ass; 
dating  from  the  25th  December  1804,  until  the  1st  of 
January  1805,  but  the  subject  of  discourse  where  it 
breaks  off  and  that  with  which  it  resumes,  arc  so  mar- 
vellously alike,  that  the  imagination  of  the  reader  needs 
little  aid  to  enable  him  to  fill  up  the  gap.  It  is  not 
likely  that  a  party  such  as  ours,  after  six  months  as- 
siduous ^toil,  now  that  the  elements  had  combined  to 
oppose  their  further  progress,  would  sufter  a  holliday 
common  to  Christendom  to  pass  unimproved,  especial- 
ly when  they  had  the  society  of  the  Mandan  ladies,  plen- 
ty to  eat  and  something  to  drink,  with  w^hich  to  divert 
and  console  themselves.  It  is  highly  probable  that  tlio 
interim  was  appropriately  improved,  as  the  introduc- 
rion  to  the  next  chapter,  which  dates  Tuesday  Jamiary 
1st,  1805,  states  that  two  shots  were  fired  from  that 
same  old  swivel  in  honor  ol  the  New  Year's  day,  loi- 


f'T 


i 


Il9!| 


60 


LIFE    AND   TIMES 


lowed  by  a  glass  of  good  old  whiskey  from  Capt 
Lewis,  and  slioitly  uft(3r  unothci*  from  Capt.  Clarke, 
repeated  again  after  noon  and  doubtless  at  divers  intcr- 
inediate  intervals,  from  private  ilasks.  This  day  ■vround 
up  with  a  dance  in  which  our  hero  'and  Capt.  Lewis 
ligured,  and  with  which,  "a  great  number  of  the  natives, 
men,  women  and  chihiren  wlio  came  to  see  us,  appear- 
ed highly  pleased."  Mr.  Gass,  gives  but  an  indiller- 
eht  account  of  the  ]\L\ndan  women  as  regards  their  per- 
sonal appearance,  habits  and  behavior,  and  intimates 
that  chastity  was  by  no  means  one  of  their  distinguish- 
ing virtues.  Contrary  to  the  general  characteristics  of 
the  Indians  of  tlw  Atlantic  country,  the  conjugal  tie 
seemed  to  set  but  lightly  upon  the  natives  of  the  plains; 
and  departures  thnrefroui,  were  very  leniently  regarded. 
Looseness  in  this  regard,  seems  indeed  to  be  a  prevail- 
ing characteristic  of  the  western  Indians.  While  among 
the  aborigines  of  the  Atlantic  States,  continence,  was 
considered  a  virtue  in  both  sexes  and  generally  prac- 
ticed, among  all  the  tribes  of  the  Missouri,  it  was  but 
little  regarded,  and  adultery  and  prostitution  hardly 
considered  as  venial  offences.  Public  opinion  and  cus- 
tom however,  gcncndly  regulate  these  things  even  in 
civilized  countries,  and  it  would  be  uncharitoole  to  ap- 
ply to  the  Mandan  Indians  the  same  standaid  of  mor- 
als that  is  recognised  among  people  more  advanced  in 
civilization.  They  would  be  doing  as  much  as  could 
"be  expected  of  them,  and  more  than  the  whites  often  do, 
if  they  did  not  transgress  their  own  customs,  usages, 
and  laws.  This,  we  have  no  reason  to  believe  they  did. 
The  Mandans  are  described  as  having  lighter  complex- 
ions than  most  other  Indians,  many  of  the  children 
having  light  colored  or  flaxen,  hair,  the  children  of  qth- 


OF  TATRTCK    DABS. 


CI 


01  Capt 
Clarko, 
irs  iiiter- 
y  ^rolmtl 
t.  Lewis 
1  natives, 
,  appear - 
indii^er•• 
lioir  per- 
utimates 
tingnish- 
risties  oi" 
jugal  ti(' 
leplaiiiH; 
•egarded . 
,  prevail - 
le  among 
nee,  was 
ly  prac- 
was  but 
hardly 
and  cus- 
cvon  in 
le  to  ap- 
of  mor- 
anced  in 
as  cx)uld 
>ften  do, 
usages, 
tiey  did, 
omplex- 
children 
ofqtU- 


i 


■■-■■.* 


•cr   tribes   being  uniformly  black  haired  from    birth. 

During  the  months  of  January  and  February,  noth- 
ing of  much  interest  occurs,  the  party  being  principal- 
ly occupied  in  hunting  and  in  the  ordinary  routine  of 
camp  life.  Some  of  the  experiences  of  the  hunters  were 
rather  disagreeable,  owing  to  the  extreme  cold,  and  oi;- 
casionallyto  the  necessity  of  partaking  of  wolf  meat, 
when  no  bett(n-  game  could  be  found;  but  generally, 
game  was  abundant,  and  the  blacksmith  of  the  party 
driving  a  thriving  trade  by  furnishing  the  natives  with 
hatchets  and  other  articles  of  iron  for  corn,  at  prices 
that  would  make  our  modern  speculators  stare,  they 
were  amply  supplied  witii  the  essentials  of  comfortable 
life. 

The  tedium  of  this  mode  of  living,  was  interrupted 
on  the  14th,  by  the  return  to  camp  of  a  party  of  four 
of  their  men,  who,  having  gone  out  Avith  four  horses 
for  the  purpose  of  bringing  home  some  meat  that  had 
been  stored  at  a  distance  from  the  camp,  and  had  been 
beset  by  a  party  of  Sioux  Indians,  and  robbed  of  three 
<tf  their  horses,  came  in,  and  reported  the  facts  to  tlieir 
comrades.  The  little  cantonment  was  instantly  in  a 
ferment,  and  at  midnight,  (Japt.  Lewis  having  called 
for  volunteers,  twenty  of  the  party  promptly  turned  out 
to  chastise  the  marauders  and  recover  the  horses.  '^Phe 
])romptness  of  the  response,  is  an  evidence  of  the  spirit 
tluit  actuated  the  entire  party.  By  the  IGth,  having  ac- 
complished some  fifty  miles  of  a  march,  in  the  pursuit, 
they  came  upon  a  deserted  camp,  which  had  be(;n  burn- 
ed by  the  Indians  and  which  was  still  smoking;  but  the 
savages  had  dispersed  and  fled  into  the  plains  and  fur- 
ther pursuit  was  deemed  useless.  The  bold  demeanor 
of  the  whites,  had  impressed  the  Indians  with  a  becom- 


62 


LIFE    AND    TnrcS 


J^ 


ing  dogroo  of  awe,  and  although  they  boasted  of  their 
robbery  and  sent  word  that  the  Sioux  intended  to  mas- 
sacre tlie  entire  party  in  the  spring,  they  were  not  mueli 
terrified  by  the]tlireat  nor  did  tliey  afterwards  meet  with 
'.»ny  serious  trouble  from  those  doughty  adversaries. — 
Home  of  the  Indians  in  tliis  ncighboriiood  manifested  a 
mischievous  spirit.  The  party  concealed  some  meat 
near  some  dcHorted  huts,  which  was  found  and  destroy- 
ed, and  the  huts  burned  by  thorn,  but  beyond  such  pot- 
ty annoyances  they  experienced  little  trouble  from  the 
Indians  during  their  winter*s  residence  among  them. 
Mr.  Gass,  speaks  of  a  beautiful  breed  of  white  rabbits 
that  abounded  in  that  section,  and  also  informs  us  how 
the  Indians  managed  to  keep  their  horses  in  winter. — 
They  had  a  great  many  of  these,  and  during  the  day 
time  they  suftbred  them  to  browse  around  and  subsist 
the  best  they  could;  at  night  they  introduced  them  in- 
to their  huts  and  fed  them  upon  cotton  wood  branches. 
Upon  this  meagre  fodder  they  kept  in  tolerable  condi- 
tion and  were  serviceable  until  the  return  of  grt.ss  when 
they  fared  more  sumptuou.sly. 

It  was  now  determined  to  send  a  portion  of  the  par- 
ty, with  what  skins  and  other  specimens  they  had  pro- 
cured and  an  account  of  their  proceedings  to  date,  down, 
to  St.  Louis,  while  the  balance  of  the  party,  pursued 
their  journey  up  the  Missouri.  Accordingly,  all  hands 
busied  themselves  with  the  task  of  j^reparing  canoes, 
which  by  the  way  had  to  be  carried  a  mile  and  a  half 
to  water  before  they  could  be  launched.  Six  canoes 
were  soon  finished,  but  on  trial,  their  capacity  was  found 
insufficient,  and  it  was  determined  to  send  the  large  pe- 
riogue  back,  with  the  returning  party. 

On  Sunday,  the  7th  March,  they  broke  up  their  en- 


OF    I'ATRICK    0A«8. 


Oii 


rampment,  tliirty-one  men  unci  a  woman  going  up  the 
rivor  witli  two  pvriogucs;  and  six  canoes  anil  thirteen 
going  down  with  Jie  largo  perioguc,  in  whicli  were  pack- 
ed ti»e  curiosities,  "UulTah)  robes  and  liorns  of  the  moun- 
tain ram  of  prodigious  size  for  the  President." 

Tlio  woman  mentioned  in  the  preceding  paragraph, 
was  one  of  t\h>  wives  of  their  interpreter,  whose  pres- 
ence was  cxi»ected  to  be  of  benefit  to  them  in  their  pas- 
sage through  the  Snake  Indians,  to  which  tribe  she  be- 
longed. The  river  still  continued  easily  navigable; 
and  they  made  good  headway,  although  they  had  now 
reached  a  point  higher  up,  than  had  ever  before  been 
attained  by  white  men.  The  character  of  the  country 
liegan  to  change,  indications  of  volcanic  action  became 
of  frociucnt  occurrence,  and  the  hills  seemed  sterile  and 
naked  of  any  appearance  of  vegetation,  though  there 
still  uppoared  to  be  plenty  of  game  of  various  kinds. — 
A  new  article  of  diet  here  appears  to  have  come  in 
vogue,  notl;iiig  less  tlian  wild  geese  eggs,  which  they 
found  deposited  by  tliose  usually  stupid  birds  in  ncets 
high  up  in  the  trees,  and  another  seuson/^^^'*  delicacy 
was  found  in  the  young  Buffalo  calves,  a  number  of 
which  were  about  this  time  killed  by  the  hunters  of  the 
party.  Our  journalist  here  remarks  as  a  "singular  cir- 
cumstance" what  others  liave  since  found  out  to  their 
sorrow,  that  in  this  region  there  is  no  dew  and  very  lit- 
tle rain,  and  with  an  astuteness  worthy  of  Professor 
Espy,  he  enquires  whether  it  can  be  ow^ing  to  want  of 
timber.  They  had  now  got  upon  the  borders  of  the 
desert  country  known  as  the  ^'plains"  by  later  travel- 
lers, in  the  overland  journey  to  Oregon  and  California, 
and  which  proves  so  disastrous  from  almost  utter  want 
of  water  and  scarcity  of  grass  for  stock. 


i 


i 


^ 

^ 

'111     ! 

IS  ' 

m  ■ 

Ml 

|fl|    ( 

i 

1 

'li 

a 

Jfflj    1 

i'i. 

64 


TJFE    AND    TIMES 


'J'liis  Avas  at  the  mouth  of  Yellow  Stone  river,  whieh 
tliey  ascertained  by  measurement  to  be,  in  width,  297 
vards  of  water  and  501  of  sand,  while  the  Missouri  was 
vj31  yards  cT  water  and  190  of  beach,  the  current  of  tlie 
latter  river  continuing  strong,  while  that  of  the  former 
is  sluggish  and  shallow.  This  point  is  given  at  18SS 
miles  above  the  moutli  of  the  Missour',  and  2TS  from 
their  winter  quarters  at  Fort  Mnndan.  Poitions  of  the 
country  in  this  neighborhood  are  represented  as  very 
fertile,  though  indications  began  to  multiply  of  their 
near  approach  to  the  Rocky  mountains.  They  made  an 
unsuccoesfnl  attempt  lioreto  kill  some  mountain  sheep, 
being  the  first  they  had  yet  seen,  but  though  they  failed 
in  this,  (!apt.  Lewis  succeeded  in  dispatching  another 
stran<i:er  with  whbse  kindred  thev  were  destined  to  be- 
<;omo  better  acquainted,  being  nothing  /Oss  than  a  huge 
"grizzly."  • 

The  1st  of  May,  when  the  "cotton  wood  leaves  wen- 
ns  large  as  dollars,"  they  were  greeted  with  a  snow 
storm  Avdiich  compelVd  the  boats  to  lay  up;  during 
which  time  the  hunters  killed  several  deer,  and  some  of 
them  discovered  some  red  cloth  in  an  old  Indian  camp, 
which  it  was  thouglit  had  been  offered  up  by  the  In<li- 
ansbyway  of  sacrifice  to  their  deit)' — "the  Tridians," 
says  Mr.  (lass,  "having  some  knov-|cdge  of  a  Supreme 
])eing,  and  this,  being  their  mode  of  worehip," 

It  is  a  singular  fact  that  not  o  single  tribe  of  Jndian.s 
ha«  been  discovered  in  Xortli  Ameiica,  but  has  had  some 
idcrt  of  the  existoncv^  of  a  Supremo  Dcing,  and  the  im- 
mortality of  the  sou).  Tiiere  is  a  striking  similarity 
in  their  beliefs  and  superstitions  in  tliis  respect;  and 
notwithstanding  their  general  ignoranc-^,  their  "views 
are  more  philosophical  ihn.A  those  of  other  nations  i  aich 


»     ^i 


OF    PATRIfK    OASS, 


(;5 


',  whiclf 
li,  297 
)uri  was 
it  of  tlio 
)  fonnor 
at  18SS 
78  from 
lis  of  tho 

as  very 
of  tlioir 
made  an 
n  sheep, 
oy  failed 

another 
?d  to  be- 
.n  a  huge 

Yes  wore 
a  snow 
;  during 
Rome  of 
.11  camp, 
[he  Imli- 
fidiaus," 

aipreme 

> 

Indians 
bid  soino 

the  ini- 
Imilarity 
bet;  and 

r  "views 
Ins  1  aich 


"v^, 

M 


I 

m 


more  advanced  in  civilization.  They  had  better  ideas 
of  natural  religion  than  had  the  (J  reeks  and  Tiomans. 
notwithstanding  the  fact,  that  these  latter  were  the  most 
])-)lishcd,  as  well  as  the  most  intellectually  acute  nations 
o:'  antiquity.  The  conception  of  one  Great  Author  of 
al,  to  whom  all  are  forever  responsible,  was  tin*  reii- 
tial  idea  upon  which  all  the  minor  beliefs  were  founded: 
Htd  though  r.iany  of  their  superstitious  notions  appear 
tons  whimsical  and  absurd,  yet  this  grand  central  idea 
nuy  be  discerned,  more  or  less  distinctly,  through  all. 
'J'lry  had  a  vague  noi-Ion  of  the  truth,  handed  down 
froii  creneration  to  t'eneration  and  thonu'h  cumlK-red 
anddistorted  with  error,  their  minds  appeared  to  grojic 
in  t\c  dark  in  the  vain  eifort  to  roach  the  light  witli(*ut 
diviie  revelation.  That  they  came  so  near  it,  is  moiv 
to  be  wondered  at,  tlian  that  they  should  be  lost  in  llie 
mists  )f  the  iurnorance  that  beset  them. 

The'iills  which  for  many  days  had  lieen  barren  of 
veg»?tatt)n,  now  began  to  make  a  sparse  display  of  |iinc 
and  ccdir  trees,  the  verdure  of  which  vras  (piite  enliven- 
ing to  tb  spirits  of  our  voyagers,  while  the  RurroundiuK 
scenery  ^V)rc  the  appearance  of  architectural  ruins  no- 
ticed by  tuvellers  as  the  mauvais  icrrcs,  or  bad  lands, 
though  tlu>-iver  continuei^  wide  and  in  handsome  order 
fivr  navigafein.  Bears  become  more  and  more  abundant 
and  bear  m<it  the  staple  article  of  their  cookery.  A 
large  brownbear  being  wounde<l  by  six  of  the  ]iartv, 
nuidc  battle  ad  came  near  nniking  specimens  of  his  as- 
sailants; butnowder  and  load,  backed  by  overwhrd- 
ming  numbers^vcretoo  much  for  him,  and  after  a  des- 
perate fight  he  ad  to  succumb.  The  natives,  stood  in 
dread  of  these  |i;izz1y  gentlemen, — not  a  few  of  their 
braves  having  Ijlon  victims  to  their  prowess  in  hand 


If 


:.'!' 


'.V 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 

to  liand  encounters.     Tlio  mountain  sheep  also  bccomir 
more  abundant  as  tlioy  approach  tlio  mountain  and  tlic)' 
at  hist  succeed  in  killing  some  of  them.     Tliey  are  des- 
cribed as  more  rescnibling  tiio  ibex  than  the  sheep,  be- 
ing covered  with  a  long  soft  liair  of  a  dun  color  insteaJ 
of  wool,  and  resembling  sheep  only  in  tlie  head,  horns 
and  feet,     llie  horns  of  one  specimen  were  two  feet  lon^ 
and  four  inches  in  circuml'erence  at  the  base.     In  siz«, 
they  ai'c  something  larger  than  the  deer.     It  differs  fro.n 
the  deer  in  never  shedding  its  horns.     Naturalists  ha/o 
since  assigned  them  .♦  place  in  the  family  of  the  rttiii- 
nantia.     They  also,  killed  a  large  brown  bear  of  :ho 
following  formidable  dimensions: — 3  feet  5  in.  aroind 
the  head,  3  feet  11  inches  around  the  neck,  6  fott  arcuiul 
the  breast;  the  length  8  feet  7  iuclics,  around  midtle  of 
the  forelegs  23  iuclios,    and   with  talons  4^  incJes  in 
length,  and  sharp  as  needles.     Such  customers  is  this 
were  becoming  uncomfortably  abundant,  and  ther  com- 
pany was  not   particularly  sought  by   the  huiters  to 
whom  they  sometimes  gave  chase.     These  fcars  are 
very  tenacious  of  life  and  when  pressed  to  doperation 
are  particularly  dangerous.     The  natives  vey  seldom 
dared  to  attack  them,  having  lost  many  of  tjeir  braves 
in  such  encounters.     The   bears   themselvo,   are   not 
afraid  of  man,  but  will  attack  him  without  hesitation, 
and  even  when  Avell  armed  the  struggle  igone  of  con- 
siderable risk  to  the  hunter.     Some  of  to  exploring 
party  discovered  a  large  brown  bear  abov  this  time  at 
the  mouth  of  a  small  creek,  and  a  party  <f  six  men  sal- 
licxl  out  to  kill  it.     The  bear,  took  refije  in  a  thicket, 
and  stood  at  bay  growling  terribly.    Th  men  advanced, 
and  three  of  them  fired  simultaneousl,  aiming  at  tho 
most  vital  parts  of  his  body;  but  altJbugh  riddled  by 


m 


OF    PATRICK    aA08. 


G7 


bccomi? 
md  tlicy 
arc  dus- 
oep,  bc- 
r  instctil 
\,  horns 
feet  lon.j 
In  siz«. 
fers  fro:n 
ists  ha/e 
he  rmii- 
ir  of  :ho 
.  aroind 
't  ar("und 
iiidde  of 
iucles  in 
8  {S  this 
hor  com- 
Lutors  to 
ears  are 
aeration 
seldom 
r  braves 
are   not 
itation, 
of  (,'on- 
ploring 
time  at 
[Tien  sal- 
thieket, 
vanced, 
at  tlm 
died  by 


i  ■'S 


tlioir  balls,  ho  only  seemed  roused  to  fury.  Ivushin^ 
from  his  eovcrt,  the  remaining  three  barely  luid  time  to 
discharge  their  pieces  before  he  was  among  them,  and 
the  issue  came  near  being  a  tragical  one.  Two  of  ihn 
men  were  badly  torn  by  tlie  claws  of  the  infuriated  beast 
before  he  could  be  dispatched,  which  was,  however,  fi- 
nally effected  after  a  desptjrate  light.  His  carcass  wcigii- 
ed  in  the  neigiiborliood  of  eleven  hundred  pounds. 

llaving  now,  Monday,  27th  May  1805,  fairly  enter- 
ed upon  a  country  presenting  nothing  but  barrencss 
and  desolation  to  the  eye;  and  traversed  a  distance  of 
2300  miles;  our  journalist  proceeds  to  give  a  brief  re- 
capitulation in  regard  to  the  topography  of  the  country, 
which  wo  can  do  no  better  than  to  give  in  his  own 
words. 

"From  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri  to  the  river  Platte, 
a  distance  of  more  than  000  miles,  the  land  is  general- 
ly of  a  gcod  quality,  with  a  sufficient  quanlity  of  timber; 
in  many  places  very  rich  and  the  country  j)leasant  and 
agreeable.  From  the  continence  of  the  river  Platte  with 
the  Missouri  in  the  sterile  desert  we  lately  enteied,a  dis- 
tance of  upwards  of  1500  miles,  tlic  soil  is  less  rich,  and 
except  in  the  bottoms  the  land  is  of  inferior  quality, 
but  may  in  general  be  called  good  second  rate  land. — 
Tlie  country  ia  ntlvcr  liilly  than  level  though  not  moun- 
tainous, rocky  cr  stony.  The  hills  in  their  un.shel- 
teroil  state  are  much  exposed  to  be  washed  by  heavy 
rains.  This  kind  ^f  country  and  soil  wliich  has  fallen 
under  our  observaf.on  in  our  journey  up  the  Missouri, 
extends,  it  is  undentood,  to  a  great  distance  on  both 
&ide3  of  the  river.  Aong  the  Missouri  and  the  waters 
which  flow  into  it,  otton  wood  and  willows  are  Ire- 
queutiu  the  bottoms  »id  islands;  but  the  upland  is  al- 


f  i 

I  i 


N;' 

ill 


;'  ! 


i 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 

most  OTitircly  ■•.^Mthoiit  timber, ,  and  consists  of  large 
prairies  and  plains  whose  boundary,  the  eye  cannot  reach. 
The  grass  is  generally  short  on  these  immense  natural 
pastures,  which  in  the  proper  season  are  decorated  with 
blossoms  and  flowers  of  various  colors.  The  views 
from  tbesc  hills  are  interesting  and  grand.  Wide  ex- 
tended plains,  with  their  hills  and  vales,  stretching  a- 
way  in  lessoning  wavy  ridges,  until  by  their  distonoc 
they  fade  from  sight;  large  rivers  and  streams  in  their 
rapid  course  winding  in  various  meanders;  groves  of  rot- 
tun  wood  and  willow  along  the  waters  intersecting  the 
landscape  In  diffeivnt  directions,  dividing  them  into  va- 
rious forms,  at  length  appearing  like  dark  clouds,  and 
sinking  in  the  horizon;  those  enlivened  with  the  hiiYa- 
lo,  elk,  deer,  and  other  animals,  which  in  vast  numbers 
iced  upon  the  plains,  or  pursue  their  prey,  are  the  jirom- 
inent  objects  which  compose  the  extensive  prospects 
presented  to  the  view,  and  strike  the  attention  of  the  be- 
holder." 

The  Missouri  like  all  our  western  rivers  u  diversified 
wiih  wooded  islands,  in  general  not  so  lai'ge,  nor  so 
l)icturcsquc  however  as  those  which  gaii:  for  the  Ohio 
its  appellation  of  the  beautiful  river,  xMong  its  course, 
were  Indian  paths,  and  roads  made  b}' the  Buffalo  ami 
other  animals  often  ten  feet  in  width  aid  equalling  in 
directness  from  point  to  point,  roads  -nade  by  human 
engineers;  if  indeed  in  many  cases  tlvse  lines  made  by 
nature's  engineers  do  not  excel  thoselaid  down  bv  com- 
pass  and  chain. 

'^riiey  had  noAv  come  into  a  savage  and  sterile  country 
with  nothing  to  relieve  its  wild  monotony,  save  the  roar- 
ing of  the  waters,  as  they  -whirlel  and  dashed  among 
the  rocks  and  the  increased  cauion   and  greater  labor 

/ 


OF    PA'lTaCK    GASS. 


09 


wliiuli  the  growing  dilTIculty  of  the  navigation  rondonMl 
inipenitivo.  While  tied  up  to  the  shore  at  night,  a  lUill- 
ahj  swimming  the  river  chanced  to  hind  at  the  perioguc; 
and  making  allying  leaj)  to  clear  the  obstruction,  W. 
landed  in  the  boat,  nearly  capsizing  it  and  dashing 
among  the  men,  who  were  slcMiIng,  they  awoke  in  great 
consternation  thinking  that  the  devil  had  conic  in  person 
to  torment  them  for  their  sins,  lie  gave  them  a  serious 
fright  bui  did  no  injury,  save  disabling  a  couple  olguns 
that  lay  in  his  way.  At  one  place  here,  the  Indians 
had  killed  over  ahundreil  of  these  animals  inoneuiOvc; 
by  driving  them  over  aprccij'ice,  which  seemed  to  Ikj 
a  favoiite  mode  among  th(\se  Indians.  Some  of  the  a[i- 
pearances,  here,  were  striking  in  the  extreme,  high 
walls  of  fjolid  rock,  Htood  up  grey  ami  2)erpendicnlar,  liKO 
feet  in  altitude,  by  eight  or  teji  in  thickness,  and  of  in- 
terminable length,  occasionally,  a  column  erected  itself 
in  solitary  grandeur,  like  ih  >  chimney-stack  of  some 
crumbled  down  manufactory;  lung  ranges  of  shattered 
ruins  a[)p.cared  as'  though  tlie  hand  of  time  had  been 
playing  havoc  with  a  deserted  city;  and  the  wiiole  we- 
nery  had  that  wierd  and  melancholy  aspect,  which  ac- 
cording well  with  the  broiiding  and  gloomy  silence  60 
suggestiv^e  of  the  world  to  come,  so  haunts,  with  visions 
of  the  supernatural  and  infernal,  minds  prone  to  super- 
stition. 

dune  3d,  1805,  the  c(  nnnanding  oflicers  being  in  a 
quandary  winch  of  two  forks  of  about  equal  siiMj  it  was 
proper  to  ascend,  a  couple  of  parties  were  detailed  to  try 
each,  atid  thus  determine  which  was  the  ^lissouri  proper. 
Two  days  were  passed  in  feconoitering,  and  finally  the 
south  branch  was  reported  the  best  for  navigation,  and 
up  it  they  went,  for  the  distance  of  aixty  miles.     The 


i^ 


"1 


'a'  III 


ii 


li 


fi 


MFK   AND   TIMK8 

•<ithcr  brnnch  is  called  Maria's  river.  Tlic  decreasiTig 
volume  of  tlie  river  adinoiiisliod  them  to  leave  a  part  of 
tluiir  higgjige  jiiul  stores;  and  aecordiiigly  a  portion  of 
tlio  party  busied  themselves  in  preparing  a  hole  in  which 
(o  bury  (heir  surplus  pork,  corn.  ])o\vder,  lead,  itc  ,  to 
the  amount  of  a  thousand  weight;  "while  Capt.  liCwiw 
took  a  meridian  ebservaiion  in  order  to  determine  their 
f>recisc  location,  "^riie  result  Mas  47  deg.,  24  m.,  12h., 
Korth  latitude.  At  the  mouth  of  Maria's  river  the  large 
pcriogue  was  concealed  under  heaps  of  brush,  and  near 
by  was  deposited  their  surplus  stores,  to  bo  ready  for 
them  on  their  return. 

On  the  morning  of  the  12th,  they  left  this  point  and 
proceeded  up  the  river,  encountering  great  difliculty, 
owing  to  the  numerous  rapids;  sometimes  having  to  take 
tlie  boats  entirely  out  of  water  and  transport  them  by 
land,  on  wheels  extemporized  for  the  purpose,  and  by 
the  18th.  so  toilsome  had  their  progress  become,  that  it 
was  determineil  to  bury  more  of  their  luggage,  which 
was  accordingly  done.  The  boats  were  mounted  on 
wlieels,  and  the  party  accompanied  it  across  a  prairie, 
to  the  next  point  of  embarkation,  IG  miles  distant, 
which  consumed  the  day.  Up  to  the  Fort  Mandan,  the 
general  direction  of  the  river  had  been  Northwest,  thence 
to  this  point,  nearly  due  West,  but  shortly  before  reach- 
ing this  point,  now  called  Clark's  Falls,  the  course  of 
the  river  turns  to  the  Bouth,  and  traverses  some  200 
miles  almost  directly  to  the  South.  The  Falls  or  Rap- 
ids, are  in  the  aggregate  302  feet  in  height,  and  extend 
for  eighteen  miles.  After  passing  them,  the  character 
well  as  of  the  country  changes,  the  river 


of  the  river 

is  smoother  and  more  equable  in  its  current,  wliile  the 

country  appeal 


us  to  be  more  level,  with  mountains  cov- 


r 


OF    PATRICK    OASS. 


71 


creasing 
I  part  of 
trtion  of 
in  which 
il'C  ,  to 
t.  Lowis 
iiie  their 
(K,  Vis., 
the  large 
and  near 
ready  for 

:ioint  and 
lifHcnlty, 
nrr  to  talio 
,  them  by 
!,  and  by 
ic,  tliat  it 
0,  which 
luntcd  on 
a  prairio, 
distant, 
idaii,  tho 
St,  thence 
)re reach - 
ourse  of 
omc  tiOO 
or  llap- 
d  extend 
character 
the  river 
while  tho 
lains  cov- 


orod  with  «now,  surrounding  tliom  in  the  distance. — 
One  of  tiie  ])nrty  hero  had  a  narrow  escape  from  being 
devoured  by  bears.  He  was  attacked  by  three  brown 
boars,  and  to  save  Iuh  life,  was  forced  to  leap  over  a  prec- 
ipice, Eovcrely  injuring  himself  and  breaking  hiH  gun. — 
vXnotiior  man  about  the  sjinio  linn?,  was  attacked  by  a 
huge  ho  bear,  when  separated  some  200  yards  from  tho 
bahmce  of  the  party.  Ifis  gun,  unluckily,  missed  fir*;, 
and  the  bank  was  eo  steep  tliat  his  companions  could 
not  reach  him;  however,  tliey  iircd  at  tho  bear  from  a 
distance,  which  had  the  elleot  of  frightening  him  off,  and 
thus  saving  their  comrade  from  an  ugly  encounter,  in 
which  the  principal  risk  would  have  been  on  hi.s  siile. 
Buffalo,  oik  and  deer,  as  well  as  bears,  appeared  to 
be  very  plenty  in  this  vicinity,  and  quite  a  number  were 
killed  by  the  party.  An  experiment  of  covering  the 
iron  frame  of  a  boat,  which  they  liad  brought  with  them 
for  the  purj)0se,  with  skins,  so  as  to  be  easily  portable, 
proved  a  i'ailure,  owing  to  the  impossibility  of  making 
it  water  light,  and  they  were  compelled  again  to  make 
new  canoes,  or  leave  more  of  their  baggage.  A  couple 
of  canoes  were  soon  constructed  and  the  party  i)ushed 
on,  the  plains  were  covered  with  a  short  grass,  and  the 
hills  from  GOO  to  1200  feet  in  altitude  almost  solid 
rock,  bare  of  vege  tation  and  seeming  to  be  a  favorite 
haunt  of  tiie  Rocky  Mountain  sheop  which  were  seen  in 
great  numbers  on  the  very  summits.  Along  the  course 
of  the  river  there  was  a  fringe  of  cotton  wood  and  bush- 
es, in  which  a  great  many  deer  and  other  animals  wero 
found,  and  also  a  great  variety  of  seasonable  berries, 
among  which  is  mentioned  the  .service  berry,  the  choke 
berry  and  as  particularly  large  and  line,  the  black  cur- 
rant.    Indians  had  become  extremely  scarce   and   al- 


I 


.i 


I 


'I  h 


ill 


ill 


iii 


Ti 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


tliougli  piiities  were  sent  out  expressly  to  find  thcni', 
they  did  not  discover  a  native  for  weeks  in  succession. 
A  smoko  was  discovered  in  the  di.stancc,  Avhicli  on  in- 
vestigation proved  to  rise  from  an  Inilian  hunting  camp, 
the  proprietors  of  whicli,  evidently  taking  the  whites 
{()V  tinen)ies  hail  Hed  into  the  wilderness.  A  polo  which 
Mr.  (J ass  had  crectiulas  a  mark  for  a  small  party  left  bo- 
hind,  and  in  a  cleft  of  svhich  he  had  placed  a  note  was 
knaweil  down  by  a  beaver  and  dragged  off,  giving  the 
party  for  whoso  benefit  it  was  intended,' a  wearisome 
tramp  of  yoveral  miles  in  the  wrong  direction  b'efore 
tlioir  error  was  detected.  A  kind  of  red  clay  w'as  noted 
as  occurring  heie,  wliich  their  squaw  infoimed  them 
was  used  for  Avar   paint. 

A')o.it  this  tiiiii  a  biingnlar  accident  occurred  thus  ru- 
Jated  by  Mr.  Gass.  It  appears,  that  some  of  the  par- 
ty had  discovered  a  fine  sulphur  spring,  which  Captain 
CJarke,  the  Interpreter,  his  squaw  and  child  went  to 
look  at.  JJuring  their  visit  a  sudden  storm  came  up, 
forcing  them  to  shelter  under  a  bank  at  the  mouth  of  a 
run.  In  five  minutes  time,  such  was  the  violence  of  the 
torrent,  there  were  seven  feet  of  water  in  the  run  and 
all  hands  came  near  being  washed  away.  As  it  was, 
they  lost  a  gun,  umbrella  and  surveyor's  compass,  and 
barely  escaped  with  their  lives.  At  this  place  they  had 
another  encounter  with  a  bear. 

<  )n  the  oOth  July  l8Uo,  they  reached  what  Mr.  Gass 
calls  the  Forks,  and  on  the  9th  August,  the  command- 
ing Officers  came  to  the  conclusion  that  these  forks 
might  be  properly  considered  the  end  of  the  Missoini, 
and  proceeded  to  name  them,  Jefferson,  Madison  and 
Gallatin,  being  respectively  the  north,  middle  and  soulh 
branches,  coming  in  nearly  at  the  same  spot.     The  latl- 


OF    PATRICK    CASS. 


73 


I   them, 
jcessioii. 
h  on  in- 
ig  cftmp, 
I    whites 
le  wliich 
yleft  bo- 
loto   was 
iving  th»i 
earisomo 
n    b'cl'ore 
vas  noted 
led   them 

I  thus  rc- 
t'  the  par- 
Captain 
went  to 
ainc   up, 
nth  of   a 
ice  of  the 
run  and 
Is  it  was, 
pass,  and 
they  had 

|Mr.  Gass 

)nimand- 

3se    iorks 

tSIissoi^i, 

lison   and 

md  south 

Thelatl- 


•.ttdoof  this  conduence  of  tlie  waters  was  determined  to 
bo  about  45  dog.,   15  min.  north. 

Wo  here  make  an  extract  from  tlie  Journal:   "Thcv« 
is  verv  little  ditlerenco  in  the    nize   of  the   throe  bran- 
chea.     On  the  bunk  of  the  north  branch  we  found  a  note 
Captain  Clarke  had  left,  informing  us  he  -was  ahead  and 
had  gone  up  that  branch.     AVe  went  on  to  the  point, 
And  as  the  men  were  much  fatigued,  encamped  in  order 
to  rest  a  day  or  two.     After  we  halted  here,  it  began  to 
rain  and   continued  three   hours.     About   12   o'clock 
Capt.  Clarke  and  his  men  came  to  our  encam]»ment, 
and  told  us  they  had  been  up  both   branches  a  conj^id- 
erable  distance,  bat  could  discover  Uduc  of  the  natives. 
There  is  a  beautiful  valley  at  these  forks,   and  a   good 
deal  of  tiuiber  on  the  branches,  cliieOy  cotton-wood. — 
Also  currants,  goose  and  service  berries,   and   choak- 
cherrics  on  the  banks.     The  deer  are  plenty  too,  some 
of  the  men  went  out  and  killed  several  to-day."  Cajd. 
Clarke,  who  had  been  taken  sick  on  the   route,  is  here 
i-eported  convalescent,  ami  Capt.  Lewis,  who  had  trav- 
eled ahead  of  the  party,  was  obliged  to  camp  out  by 
himself  in  the  howling  wilderness.    He,  however,  turn- 
ed np  all  right  in  the  morning,  and  the  party  dividing. 
Capt.  Clarke  w^ould  explore  one  branch  with  his  corpg 
and  Capt.  Lewis,  another,  with  his,  leaving  notes   at 
prominent  places  to  direct  each  other  in  their  explo- 
rations.    The  travelling  had  become  difticult  and   the 
routes  extremely  mixed,  rendering  their  progress  very 
slow.     At  this  place,  our  squaw  informed  us,  "she  had 
been  taken  prisoner  by  the   (Irossventers  four  or  five 
years  ago.     From  tliis  valley  we  can   discover  a  large 
mountain  with  snow  on  it,  towards  the  southwest;  and 
expect  to  pass  by  the  northwest  end  of  it.     Capt.  Lcwi» 


^ 
* 


74 


LIFE    AND   TIMES 


M 


had  a  meridian  altitude  liorc,  which  gave  45  dog.,  22m. 
358.  nortli  latitude." 

A.^eendiuLC  the  north  or  Jofforson  branch,  it  also  fork- 
ed  into  Wisdom  an<l  Philanlliroj^y  branches,  the  mid- 
dle one  retaining  the  name  of  Jefferson,  up  which  they 
continued.  It  has  been  roniarkeil  that  there  is  noth- 
ing in  aname,  and  that  a  rose  by  any  other  name  would 
Bmell  as  sweet;  but  our  explorers  seem  to  liavo  taxed 
their  ingenuity  to  considerable  extent  in  order  to  iind 
Riiitable  names  for  the  streams  which  it  was  their  for- 
tune to  christen.  It  is  perhaps  to  be  regretted  that  they 
in  common  with  all  our  other  explorers,  did  not  adopt 
the  Indian  names  of  the  streams  and  points,  or  at  least 
modify  them  so  as  to  sound  properly  to  English  ears. 
The  multiplication  of  English  proper  names  as  applied 
to  geographi  1  objects,  is  the  sonrce  of  great  inconve- 
nience and  confusion;  while  the  adoption  of  many  com- 
mon and  vulgar  English  words,  as  appellatives,  is  of- 
ten in  decidedly  bad  taste.  The  appellatives  of  the  In- 
dians, generally  abounded  in  vowel  sounds,  and  what 
was  more,  had  mostly  some  reference  to  peculiarities 
of  the  thing  they  designated.  The  idea  was  often  as  po- 
etical as  the  sound  was  euphonious.  It  is  to  bo  regret- 
ted that  our  maps  do  not  contain  more  of  them.  What 
can  be  more  snggcstive  than  Min-ne-ha-ha,  the  water 
which  lavghSy  as  applied  to  the  rippling  waters  of  tho 
Missi-8irpi,/a((A^r  of  waters,  smiling  back  the  sunlight 
from  its  pebbly  bed  before  the  muddy  Miss-ouri  throws 
itfl  Bombrc  shade  on  tho  now  sullen  and  turbulent  cnr- 
rent.  It  is  evident  that  the  philosophy  of  names  gain- 
ed nothing  in  its  poetic  department  from  the  hard  prac- 
tical sense  of  Anglo  American  discoverers.  They  were 
inferior  in  perception  of  the  beautiful  and  the  grainl,  t© 


OP   PATRICK    0A8fl. 


75 


g..22m. 


Iso  fnrk- 
l\o  niid- 
licli  thoy 
is  noth- 
10  would 
/o  taxed 
■r  to  find 
.lusir  for- 
tliat  tlioy 
lot  n<lopt 
irat  least 
lish  ears. 
,s  applied 
inconvc- 
any  com- 
es, is  of- 
)rilic  In- 
nd  wiiat 
iiliarities 
en  as  po- 
c  regret - 
.    What 
ho  wafer 
s  of  tho 
sunlight 
I  throw* 
lent  rnr- 
08  gain- 
rd  prac- 
ey  weT* 
Tainl,  t9 


the  French  and  infinitely  behind  the  poor  Indian  who8« 


-"nntntored  tnin«l, 


Sees  Ood  la  tlie  Htorm  iiad  hearn  him  la  the  wind." 

Journeying  on,  they  passed  an  island  which,  as  it  waf 
distant  about  3000  miles  from  their  starting  point,  they 
christened  with  some  propriety,  '* Three  thousand  mile 
island;^'  the  river  beinic  only  about  twenty  yards  wido 
and  a  foot  and  a  half  <'eep,  meandering  and  winding 
along  through  tho  bushes,  and  frequently  compelling 
the  men  to  wade  and  drag  tho  canoes  through  the  wat- 
er which  had  become  icy  cold  and  very  disagreeable. — 
The  black  or  mountain  trout  of  largo  size  abounded,  ai 
well  as  a  variety  of  otb.cr  iish;  while  doer  and  game  gen- 
erally bad  become  scarce,  owing  to  tho  scant  herbage. 
At  tho  entrance  to  a  gorrre  in  tho  mountains  hero,  two 
huge  pillars  of  rock  erect  t!i«'niselvos  like  watch  towers, 
guarding  the  entrance  as  if  to  some  land  of  promise, 
picturesque  enough  tho  reader  will  say,  but  not  say  our 
explorers,  realizing  the  promise  of  fertility  so  jealously 
guarded.  From  this  point  to  tho  head  waters  of  the 
Columl)ia  river,  emptyin;,'  into  the  l'*acific,  was  but 
about  forty  miles,  ('ai)t.  L  iwis  had  })asscd  over  tli« 
ground,  and  returned,  bringing  with  him  some  twenty 
of  the  Snako  Inditins  whom  he  bad  cncoujitercd,  with  a 
like  number  of  horses,  with  wliieh  animals,  these  Ii.  i- 
ans  fortunately  enough  were  well  providcil.  Mr.  (Jast^, 
speaks  here  of  tho  great  quantity  of  service  berries  found 
in  this  region,  whieh  seem  almost  as  if  providentially 
provided  for  tho  sustenance  of  sucli  living  animals  at 
may  happen  among  these  inhospitable  gorge::!  of  iLie 
mountains. 

Tho  party  now  proyiilcd  with  Indian  guides  followed 
up  the  gorge  of  Jefrerson  Fork,  no'.v  a  more  mountain 
brook,  until  the  19th   August,  l:-)o,  when  tboy  reacbod 


I 


'I. 
^ 

It- 


:() 


LIFE  AND  nyiF.n 


i  i 


the  liciul  sprlnijf,  (Ustaiit  only  oiio  mile  from  tlic  head  of 

one  ])rancli  of  tlio  ( 'oliiniliia. 

.  Oil  the  head  waters  of  thciColumLia,  Tiulinns  Leeairie 
more  mimerous;  and  on  the  20th  thoy  eame  to  a  vil- 
lage of  twenty-live  lod^^os  made  of  willow  bark.  'IMiis 
was  a  village  of  the  "Snakes."  "They  are,  "sfiys  Mr. 
(iass,  "the  poorest  and  most  miserable  nation  lever  be- 
held; having  scarcely  anything  to  subsist  on,  excepr,; 
berries  and  a  few  lish,  whit-h  they  contrive  by  sonic 
means  to  take.  They  have  a  great  mnny  tine  horses, 
and  nothing  else;  and  on  account  of  these  they  are  har- 
rassed  by  other  nations.  Tiie  usual  mo(b)  of  salutation, 
among  the  Snakes,  is  by  putting  the  arms  around  the 
nock  of  the  person  th(;y  wish  to  salute,  in  token  of 
friendship."  This  method,  it  will  be  allowed,  was  more 
aifectionate  than  agreeable  to  persons  of  weak  stomachs. 
The  western  Indians,  seem  generally,  to  have  been 
more  disposed  toward  a  pastoral  life  than  were  thoso 
east  of  the  ^Mississippi;  and  manifested  more  of  a  dis- 
position to  possess  themselves  of  flocks  and  lierds. — 
Horses,  were  found  by  this  party,  among  all  the  tribes 
through  which  they  passed;  and  often  in  localities  tho 
most  mifavorable.  They  Avcre  used  for  })urposcs  of 
travel  and  tho  chase.  In  case  o  f emergency  their  flesh 
was  eaten.  The  origin  of  these  horses  among  tho  In- 
dians is  conjectural.  They  probably  descended  from 
Spanish  stock  imported  at  the  time  of  the  conquest,  or 
stibsequent  settlements.  In  the  genial  climate  of  tho 
ti-opics,  it  is  not  impossible  that  a  few  individuals  esca- 
ping or  turned  out  into  the  vast  natural  pastures,  in- 
oroased  and  multiplied  into  the  immense  herds  that  car- 
reer over  tile  boundless  plains  of  Mexico  and  South 
Araericft,     Anotbor  very  probable  source  was  the  Can* 


m 


OF    T'ATIUPK    fi.VSS. 


/  I 


11 


daH.  His  certain  that  ut  tlic  discovery  ol'  the  country 
the  Indians  had  no  idea  of  liorscs,  in  fact,  those  used  by 
('ortcz  were  actimily  worshipped  l)y  the  Mexican  Indi- 
ans, and  considered  superior  beings.  In  later  times  tlie 
western  Indians  iiave  still  farther  devoted  thenisclve»; 
to  stock  ralsinj^,  and  at  this  date,  the  Xavajoa  arc  re- 
ported as  the  ])()SSCSHor8  of  a  half  million  sheep. 

Those  Indians,  tifave  the  ])arty  a  very  unfavorable  ac- 
count of  the  navi«j;ation  of  the  (Jidunibia,  so  much  ho, 
ind(M}d,  as  to  induce  them  to  abandon  their  canoes  and 
undertake  the  journey  by  land.  Accordini^ly,  they 
purchased  a  stock  of  horses  from  the  Indians,  at  an  av- 
erage of  about  8«5  ])erhead  in  merchandise,  and  leaving 
Capt.  CMarke,  to  brini,'  the  ba^'<-,n\iC(;  by  water,  they  con- 
tinued down  the  (Jolumbia.  The  lepresentations  of  the 
Indians  proved  correct,  for  the  river  bottom  was  nar- 
row and  the  route  almost  impracticable  either  by  land 
or  water;  nevortheh'ss,  they  persevered — the  rocks  in 
some  places  breast  hij^hand  no  path  or  trail  of  any  kind 
to  direct  them  until  brought  to  a  dead  halt,  at  a  point 
where  "the  water  was  so  rapid,  and  the  bed  of  the  river 
so  rocky  tliat  going  by  water  ai)peared  impracticable; 
and  the  mountains  so  amazing  high,  steep  and  [rocky, 
that  it  seemed  impossible  to  go  along  the  river  by  land." 
Their  trials  now  fairly  eommonced.  The  Journal  pro- 
ceeds: "Captain  Clarke  and  our  party  proceeded  down 
tlie  river  with  our  guide,  through  a  valley  about  four 
miles  wide,  of  a  rich  soil,  but  abnost  without  timber. 
There  are  high  mountains  on  both  sides,  with  some  pine 
trees  on  them.  We  went  about  eight  miles  and  en- 
camped at  a  fine  spring.  One  of  our  men  remained  be- 
Jiind  at  the  village  to  buy  a  horse,  and  did  not  join  uu 
iliis  evening.     Five  of  the  Indians  came  and  stayed 


•I 


ft  3 


78 


LiIH    AND    TIMES 


\         !l 


with  us  (luring  ilio  nijj^lif .  They  told  us  that  thoy  worn 
•ometiiuos  reduced  to  .such  WHut,  as  to  bo  obliged  to  cat 
tlioir  horses. 

Next  iiioriiinL!:,  wc  bepfan  our  journey  at  7  o'clock 
and  hnving  travelled  about  a  inil(\  crossed  a  branch  of 
the  river.  Here  the  inoiiulains  caine  so  close  on  tho 
river,  wc  could  not  get  through  the  narrows,  and  had 
t^)  eross  a  very  high  mountain  about  three  miles  ever, 
and  then  stru(dc  the  river  again,  where  there  is  a  small 
bottom  and  one  lodge  of  the  natives  in  il,  gathering  l)er- 
ries,  haws  and  cherries  f<»r  winler  food'.  We  soon  had 
to  ascend  another  large  mountain,  and  had  to  proceed 
in  the  same  way  until  we  crossed  four  of  tliem,  when  we 
rameto  a  largo  creek,  where  there  is  a  small  bottom  and 
tJiree  lodges  of  Indians.  'J'hrce  of  our  men  hav ing  gone 
through  tho  bottom  to  hunt,  came  first  upon  the  lodges 
wliich  greatly  alarmed  the  unhappy  natives,  who  all 
fol)  a  weeping  and  began  to  run  oil';  but  the  Jtarty  com- 
ing  up  with  the  guide  relieved  them  from  their  fears. 
They  tiien  received  us  kindly  and  gave  us  berries  aiid 
lisli  to  eat.  We  remained  with  tbem  about  two  hours 
and  gas'o  them  some  presents.  Those  of  the  natives, 
who  are  detached  in  small  parties,  appear  to  live  bet- 
ter, and  to  have  a  larger  supply  of  provisions,  than  those 
who  live  in  large  villages.  The  peoplo  of  these  three 
lodges  have  gathered  a  quantity  of  sun-flower  seed, 
and  also,  of  Iambs-quarter,  which  tliey  ])ound  and 
mix  with  sorvieo  berries,  ami  make  of  the  composition 
a  kind  of  bread;  which  appears  capable  o£  sustaining 
life  for  some  time.  On  this  broad  antl  tho  fish  they  take 
out  of  tho  river,  these  people,  who  appear  to  bo  tho  most 
wretched  of  the  human  species,  chietly  subsist.  They 
gave  us  some  dried  salmon,  and  we  proceeded  down  tho 


i 


OP    PATRICK    C5A88. 


79 


I 


river;  but  with  a  great  deal  of  iliflifMilty :  tho  moun- 
tains being,  so  cloao,  steep  and  rocky.  Tb'i  river  here 
is  about  80  yards  wide,  and  continually  rapid,  but  not 
deej*.  Wo  went  about  fit'tccn  miles  to-day,  and  en- 
camped on  a  small  island,  as  there  was  no  other  level 
place  near.  (Jame  is  scarce,  and  we  kilb'il  nothing 
hince  the  llJth  but  one  deer;  and  our  stock  of  provisions 
is  exhausted. 

"On  the  2;id,  two  of  the  hunters  went  in  search  of  a 
laiek  that  lufd  been  wounded  during  tlio  day,  and  the 
rest  staid  in  !lie  caui[)  to  fish.  In  tlie  afternoon  tlie 
men  came  in  from  bunting  the  wounded  deer,  but  couKl 
not  ilnd  him.  They  killed  three  prairie  hens,  or])heu8- 
iints.  AVe  caught  some  smyll  fisli  iu  tlie  night.  The 
natives  take  tlieir  lish  by  spearing  [tht-m;  their  Ki)ear« 
for  this  purpose  are  poles  with  bones  fixed  to  the  ends 
ofthoni,  with  which  they  strike  tlii;  fish.  They  have 
but  four  guns  in  the  nation,  ami  catch  goats  ami  some 
other  aninjals  by  running  them  down  with  horses.  The 
dresses  of  the  women  are  a  kind  (jf  shifts  made  of  tlie 
skins  of  these  goats  and  mountain  sheep,  which  come 
down  to  the  mitldle  of  the  leg.  Some  of  them  ha\e 
robes,  but  others  none.  Some  of  the  men  have  chirls 
and  some  are  without  any.  Some  also  have  robes  niade 
of  beaver  and  bull'alo  skins;  but  there  are  few  of  the 
former.     I  saw  one  nuide  of  ground  hog  skins. 

"Tile  river  at  this  place  is  so  conii'ied  by  the  moun- 
tains that  it  is  not  more  than  twenty  yards  wide,  and 
very  rapid.  The  mountains  on  the  sides  are  not  less 
than  one  thousand  feet  high  and  very  steep.  There  are 
a  few  pines  growing  on  them.  We  caught  some  small 
lishto  day,  and  our  hunters  killed  live  prairie  fowls. — 
These  were  all  we  had  to  subsijst  on.     At  1  o'clock  Capt. 


.   •{ 


n 


i 


''I 


sf*^ 


\     f' 


r     n 

ft 


80 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


n.-u'lvO  and  his  party  loturncd,  after  havinc:  boon  down 
tho  river  about  12  miles.  They  found  it  was  not  pos- 
»ihlo  to  go  down  eitlier  by  land  or  water,  witlimit  much 
risk  and  trouble.  The  water  is  so  rapid  and  tho  bed 
of  the  river  so  rocky,  that  ijfoingby  water  a])peared  iin- 
praetieahle;  and  the  mountains  so  ama/Jn^iv  hirh,  steep 
and  rocky,  that  it  seemed  impossible  to  g"o  along  tho 
river  by  land.  Our  guide  speaks  of  a  way  lo  sea,  by 
going  up  th(i  south  fork  of  tliis  river,  getting  cuj  to  tho 
mountaJuH  that  way,  and  tluMi  turning  to  the  south 
west  again.  C^qit.  Clarke,  therefore  wrote  a  letter  to 
(yapt.  Lev.-is,  and  dispatched  a  man  on  hois(>back  to 
meet  him;  and  we  all  turned  back  np  the  river  again, 
poor  and  uncomfortable  enough,  us  we  Irad  nothing  to 
eat,  and  tliero  is  no  game.  Wo  proceeded  np  about 
three  miles,  and  supperlcss  %vent  to  rest  for  the   night. 

"Next  morjiing,  we  set  out  early  and  li;'.'l  a  line  day; 
passed  the  Indian  camp,  where  they  gave  lis  a  little 
dried  salmon,  and  proceeded  l)ack  agivin  ov  i-  t]\c  moun- 
tains. Some  hunter>^  went  on  ahead  arul  <'ncamped  in 
the  valley.  Two  men  went  to  hunt,  and  all  tiie  rest  to 
Hsh.  We  soon  caught  as  many  small  fish  as  made  with 
two  salmon  our  guide  got  from  some  Indians,  a  com- 
fortable su  pper.  At  dark  our  hunters  came  in  and  had 
killed  but  one  beaver. 

"Monday  '2Gth,  we  hud  again  a  pleasant  morning; 
and  four  hunters  went  on  early  ahead,  and  one  man  to 
lOok  for  the  horses.  We  breakfasted  on  the  beaver  and 
A  salmon,  which  had  l)een  saved  from  supper  the  pre- 
ceding evening.  The  man  wdio  had  gone  for  the  lior- 
«cs,  having  returned  withoul  finding  them,  four  or  tivo 
more  went  out,  and  our  guide  immediately  found  them. 
We  then,  about  ten  oVock,  proceeded  on  to  the  forks. 


\  '* 


or  pATrvrc  <■ 


SI 


on  down 

not  pos- 

mt  much 

the  bed 

ared  im- 

:h,  stoop 

long  tho 

)  sea,  by 

>u  to  tho 

10  snutl; 

letter  to 

'back  to 

r  ngain, 

thing  to 

p   about. 

1   niglit. 

ino  day; 

:  a  littlo 

nioun- 

ipod  in 

rest  to 

do  with 

a  oom- 

md  liad 

orning; 

man  to 

er  and 

ho  pro- 

u'  lior- 

or  livo 

ihiMn. 

!orkff. 


where  wo  found  our  hunters;  but  tlii-y  bad  killed  noth- 
ing. So  we  went  up  to  a  small  village  of  the  nativOvS, 
'■rot  some  fish  from  tlicni,  and  lodged  there  all  night. 

"Next  morning  eight  of  us  went  out  to  hunt.  I  ob- 
served some  flax  growing  in  the  bottoms  on  this  river, 
but  saw  no  clover  or  timothy,  as  I  had  seen  on  thoMis.s- 
oiiri  and  Jeffoi-son  rivor.  Thi're  is  a  kind  of  wild  sago 
IV  hyssop,  as  high  as  a  man's  head,  full  of  braneho^ 
and  leaves,  Avhieh  grows  in  these  bottoms,  with  shruba 
of  difforent  kinds.  In  the  evening  we  all  came  in  again 
and  had  killed  nothing  br.t  a  fish.  We  got  some  More 
from  tlio  natives,  which  avo  subsisted  on.  "We  lodged 
here  again  all  night,  but  heard  nothing  from  Captain 
Lewis. 

On  the  morning  of  tlu;  t28th  of  August,  I  v.-ent  on  to 
tho  Tijiper  village,  where  J  found  ('apt.  Lewis  and  his 
partvbuving  horses.  Thov  had  ii:ot  twentv-three,  which 
with  two  we  had,  made  in  the  \vholo  twenty-five.  I 
thou  returned  to  our  ean\p,  a  distance!  of  Hfteen  miles, 
and  arrived  there  late.  I  found  the  Aveather  very  cold 
for  the  season." 

Th(;  ascent  of  tho  Missouri  had  been  plain  sailing  in 
comparison  to  tho  navigation  of  tho  Columbia,  Avliore 
Drccipiees  of  a  thousand  feet  elevation  came  .sheer  doAvn 
to  the  Avaters  edge,  .^o  stiH'p  that  nothing  sa\'e  the  ven- 
turesome foot  of  the  mountain  g«»at  (haod  to  scale  them, 
<nid  of  such  interTuinable  length,  tliat  tho  most  experi- 
enced guidos  Avere  at  fault  as  to  expedients  to  go  around 
or  across;  wliile  tho  tumbling  torrents  at  their  ba^e  as 
they  pitcheil  and  dashed  over  high  masses  and  ledger  of 
mok,  bid  dotianco  to  any  craft  that  might  be  construc- 
ted to  navigat(^  them.  'I'liey  Avore  now  in  a  dilemma, 
and  to  add  to  their  troubles,  provisions  became  cxhaus- 


\- 


I. 


Is,  " 


! 


h 


w 


'^ 


82 


LIFE    AND    TIME8 


ted  and  there  was  very  little  game  with  which  to  re- 
plenish. All  the  skill  of  their  liimters  could  not  keep 
them  supplied  with  meat,  and  more  than  once  tliey  were 
forced  to  subsist  on  horse  llesh,  Leaver  and  dog,  with 
bread  rnade  in  Indian  fashion,  of  sun-flower  seed,  lambs- 
quarter,  service  berries,  and  dried  salmon  pounded  and 
incorporated  together.  This  latter  article  was  not  so 
unpalatable,  aud  proved  an  excellent  substitute,  now 
that  Iheir  scant  supply  of  Hour  was  exhausted.  Th 
natives  are  represented  as  miserable  in  the  extreme,  al- 
most starviiig,  and  nearly  naked;  depending  chielly  for 
subsistence  upon  lish,  Avhich  they  speared  with  long 
poles  pointed  with  shai'p  and  barbed  bones  for  the  pur- 
pose. 

Salmon  in  the  Columbia  were  abundant  and  very 
fine,  and  well  enough  it  was  so,  or  our  voyagers,  would 
have  starved  to  death  in  a  wilderness  as  inhospitable, 
otherwise,  as  the  icy  deserts  of  the  north,  that  have 
proven  the  burial  places  of  so  many  gallant  aud  ven- 
turesome men. 

This  brings  us  up  to  September  1st.  1805;  for  the 
past  few  days  our  party  has  encountered  difficulties  that 
were  almost  insurmountable  and  endured  hardships  in 
almost  every  shape  and  form  with  a  perseverance  that 
excites  our  admiration  and  with  a  fortitude  that  should 
rank  them  among  the  foremost  travellers  of  any  age. — 
Though  all  this  narrative  of  trial,  deprivation  and  iiard- 
ship,  we  look  in  vain  in  Mr.  (lass's  journal  for  a  single 
instance  of re])ining;  no  regrets  sully  its  pages  an'  no 
complaints  either  by  lilm,  or  by  any  of  his  companions. 
About  this  time  the  commanding  officers  of  th.-  pa:  y 
seem  to  have  had  a  high  appreciation  of  t'  merits  of 
Mr.  Gass,  mention  being  frec[uently  mad- ,  in  a  mod- 


.r' 


■^■'' 


OK    PATRICK    GA8S. 


83 


cli  to  re- 
not  keep 
tlicy  wero 
.og,  with 
(I,  lambs- 
iiJcd  and 
as  not  so 
ute,   now 

.Ml.        Til 

rcnie,  al- 

liioll^'  for 

:idi  long 

the  ]jur- 

ind  verv 
•s,  would 
spi  table, 
Kit  liavc 
,nd   vcn- 

;    for  the 

Itics  that 

Iships  in 

ince  that 

should 

Y  ago.— 

[id  hard- 

a  sinfjle 

an  '   no 

paniond. 

h.   pa:  y 

lerits  of 

a  mod- 


m 


•f 


4 
I 

4 

A 

'^> 


est  way,  of  his  participaiion  in  important  services. 
There  is, however,  no  ostentation  about  the  narrative,  all 
goes  along  in  a  smooth  matter  of  fact  way,  as  if  the  in- 
cidents narrated,  were  of  every  day  occurrence  and  en- 
titled to  no  particular  mention. 

The  men  bore  their  hardships  manfully  and  obeyed 
with  unllagging  energy  and  undeviating  lidclity  the  com  - 
uiands  of  their  oflicHrs;  who,  themselves,  seem  to  have 
been  well  worthy  of  the  men  over  whom  they  wero 
placed.  But  \vh«tless  could  be  expected.  The  Ameri- 
can 's  a  man  every  inch  of  him,  whether  in  civil  or  in 
military  life,  whether  in  command  or  in  subordination. 
As  a  soldier  he  knows  his  place  and  his  rights  as  a  free 
man;  and  the  true  officer  will  exact  nothing  but  what 
he  knows  will  be  done  with  a  will ;  and  the  man  will 
execute  whatever  is  to  be  done  with  a  zeal  and  an  in- 
telligence that  no  other  nation  can  altain.  It  is  this 
characteristic  that  makes  them  invincible  as  soldiers 
and  i-enders  them  notorious  for  indomitable  will,  steady 
perseverencc  and  great  achievements  in  whatever  enter- 
prises they  engage,  either  of  ])eace  or  war.  Fur  the  next 
few  days  they  passed  through  the  same  difficulties, 
striving  with  almost  superhuman  energy  to  surmount 
the  last  barrier  that  nature  has  erected  between  the  op- 
posing surges  of  the  Pacific  and  the  Atlantic,  stretching 
like  a  huge  back-bone  the  length  of  the  continent  and 
parting  the  fresh  fallen  waters  of  the  East  and  the 
West  to  the  right  and  to  the  left  with  it*  adamantino 
vertebrae.  Gradually,  however,  their  course  became 
somewhat  smoother,  traversing  occasional  .  mall  vallics, 
like  oases,  of  rich  black  soil,  abounding  witu  iierbs,  ber- 
ries and  edible  roots,  and  inhabited  by  the  Flathead  In- 
dians, who  Mr.  Gass,    denominates  the   whitest   lu- 


1    i'j. 
■  Ml 


f: 


Mi 


^1 


i    1 


i!!-^ 


it  ■  ■  ■•* 


■84 


LIFE    AND    TIMCS 


dians  he  ever  snw,  and  wlio  arc  much  Letter  provided 
witli  worldly  geor  than  their  neiglil)ors, the  Snake.'*,  from 
whose  country  they  areahout  otnorLrincr.  "The  Indian 
dogs  arc  so  hungry  and  ravenous,"  says  he,  "they  ato 
iivo  pair  of  our  niockasoiis  last  night.  Wo  remained 
liere  all  day,  ami  recruited  our  horses  to  forty  and  three 
eolts;  and  made  fourorlivp  of  this  nation  of  Indians 
chiefs.  They  arf»  a  v^m'v  IViondly  pccple;  have  plenty  of 
I'obes  and  sl;ins  foreoveiing,  and  a  lii-ge  stock  of  horses, 
some  of  which  are  vei-y  u'ood;  hrt  lh(>v  have  nothingto 
■<iat,  but  berries,  roots  and  .such  aiticlcs  of  food.  'J'his 
])and  is  on  i*s  way  over  to  tlic  Missouri  or  Yellow-stone 
river  to  hunt  buffalo.  Kcxt  morning  we  exchanged 
some  of  our  horses,  that  were  fatigutnl,  wilh  the  natives. 
!"\)nr  huntiTs  who  had  been  out,  kill"d  nothing;  w»^  there- 
lore  su])ped  upon  a  small  ([uantity  of  corn  we  had  yet 
left.  Next  day  one  of  the  hunters  killed  two  doer; 
which  was  a  subject  of  much  iov  and  conofratulation. 
Here  we  remained  to  dine,  and  some  rain  fell.  On  the 
Houth  of  this  place  there  are  veiy  high  mountains  cov- 
ered with  snow  arid  timber,  and  to  the  north  prairie  hills. 
AltVr  staying  here  two  hours,  w  c  pi'ocecded  on  down 
the  creek;  i'ound  tlie  country  much  the  same  as  tiuit  wc 
had  passed  through  in  the  forenoon;  and  having  trav- 
elled about  twenty  miles  sin.e  the  morning,  encamped 
for  the  night — liaving  killed  two  cranes  on  our  way." 

OntheDth.  they  pass  the  mouth  of  the  river  of  the 
I'latlieads,  here  IdO  yards  wiile,  A\liich  they  name 
Clarke's  river,  and  by  the  13(h.  vhey  came  to  a  beauti- 
lul  warm  spring,  Avith  numerous  paths  diverging  fixnu 
it,  and  the  waters  of  which  were  hot  above  blood  heat. 
Four  of  the  best  hunters  of  the  party,  well  mounted  were 
out  uU  day  as  a  special  party,  but  neither  they  nor  the 


OF   PATUirK      OASS. 


sr. 


provliled 
\iQ^,  from 
le  Indian 
'tlioy  ato 
roniaiiied 
uid  tlireo 
Indinns 
jjleiit}'  of 
Df  liorsc's, 
Olllili;^'  to 
d.      TluH 

uw -stone 
ccliangcd 

natives. 
\v*i  tliore- 
liad  yet 
ro  deer; 
tulation. 

On  the 
ins  cov- 
rie  111] Is, 
n  down 
tiiat  \vc 
g  trav- 
caniped 
way." 

of  the 
Y  name 

beanti- 
ig  from 
)d  heat, 
ed  vvero 
lor  the 


.;ji| 


balance  of  the  party  Imd  much  success  as  the  common 
lanior  shcjwed  but  thiee  pitiful  pheasants,  witii  whicli 
to  feed  thirty  litiuiiry  men.  In  tliis  .stniii:,  they  resorted 
to  some  poitable  soup,  which  was  brouglit  along  to  hv 
used  in  case  of  neces>ity,  and  fo  give  it  body,  killed  and 
roasted  a  C')lt,  whicliour  liero  Siiys,  made  it  "good  eat- 
ing." l''or  some  <lays  after  this,  the  prevuiling.  diet  was 
portable  soup,  })arched  corn  and  roast<.'d  colt,  with  no 
jtartioular  compldnt  e\.<-epL  as  to  quantity.  A  hor.se 
fi.'ll  (»vor  a  I'iejipice  of  ii  hundred  feet,  witli.nit  being 
much  hiirt  as  3lr.  Gass  observes,  owing  to  the  fact  oUherv 
heinfj  no  botlom;  the  steep  side  of  the  gorge  terminating 
in  a  stream  ot  water  into  which  the  animal  was  sol'tlr 
but  rather  precipitately  landed.  The  boup  diet  is  begin- 
iug  to  show  itself  in  the  aspect  of  the  men,  who  are  bc- 
eoming  lean  and  emaciated;  while  the  horses  are  becom- 
ing weak  aii'l  jadei.!  ficuii  starvation  and  overwork. 
Even  "water  liad  become  scarce  in  these  horrible  moun- 
tain deserts,  and  it  was  with  as  nivAch  joy  and  rejoic- 
ing among  tlie  corps  as  luippens  among  passengers  at 
8ca,  who  have  experienced  a  dangerous  and  protracted 
voyage,  when  they  iirst  discover  land  oii  the  long  look- 
ed for  coast,"  that  they  beheld,  at  last,  a  level  plain  in 
the  distance. 

Kven  hors3  flesh  became  scarce  and  so  ilry  from  want 
of  nutrition,  that  it  was  little  better  tlian  sole  leather, 
the  carcass  of  a  wolfwas  a  rare  delicacy  and  tho  inci- 
dent of  one  of  their  hunters  procuring  a  supply  of  ber- 
ries, roots  and  ti>h  from  the  Flatheads  is  mentioned  m 
a  matter  to  be  thanktul  for. 

As  theyomergi^d  Ironi  the  mountains,  their  route  be- 
e*me  gradually  mon^  comfortable  In  a  small  valley, 
ihoy  found  a  village  of  Flathead  Indians,   wlio  Buppli- 


.    dl 


S6 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


c(l  them  with  provisions,  consisting  of  hsn,  rootfl  and 
bread,  manufactured  by  them  in  u  way  peculiar  to  them- 
selves, from  fi  sweet  root,  growing  in  great  abundanco 
on  the  plains,  and  bearing  in  Juno  a  flower  of  a  pale  blue 
color,  the  root  resembling  the  onion  in  appearance,  which 
they  call  "comas."  This  bread  was  found  not  only  nour- 
isliing  but  quite  palatable,  tasting  1  ike  that  made  of  pump- 
kins. The  ludiatis  trcatt^d  them  kindly,  and  furnished  ^ 
tliem  with  a  good  su})ply  of  edibles  in  exchange  for  small 
nrtieles  of  imMi'liandisi',  whiei;  tiiey  had  brought  along. 
From  this  point  they  travelled  by  moderate  stages,  hav- 
ing many  of  them  fallen  sick  from  bad  and  insufficient  di- 
et, and  it  may  refresh  tlie  memories  of  our  readers  to 
be  iutormed  ihat  Captain  Clarke  in  this  emcrgfmey 
with  true  Saiigr^do  polic\'  "gave  all  the  sick  a  dose  of 
Ur.  Hush's  pills  to  see  wliat  elfnct  that  would  have." 
The  e.Kperimont  apjicars  to  have  been  successful.  Dr. 
Hush's  pills  did  their  duty,  fuid  the  men  began  nipidly 
to  improve  in  bodily  health  and  spirits,  (lame  eon- 
tinnod  scarce  on  the  Columbia,  the  Indians  oftliis  coun- 
try having  lo  cross  over  on  to  the  Missouii  to  jirocuro 
their  supplies  of  meat  which  they  annually  did  in  large 
parties  in  pursuit  of  thn  Buffalo.  Another  kind  of  na- 
tive sheep  is  spoken  of  as  living  in  these  vallies,  dis- 
tinct from  the  mountain  ]\am  of  the  preceding  pngr  s 
in  being  smaller  an  d  eovci'ed  witli  wool  f  )ur  imdioa 
long,  iiiie,  white  and  soft;  instead  of  the  ha-iry  covering 
peculiar  to  the  latter  animal.  The  want  of  nri  inter- 
preter to  enable  them  to  communicate  with  the  Flat- 
heads  proved  a  seriousinconvenionee,  but  they  managed 
by  signs  to  ascertain  that  they  were  then  at  war'with  a 
neighboring  tribe,  who  had  slain  several  of  their  people; 
and  also,  that  they  hacl  had  eomnuijiicatiuu  with  white 


or    rATlUCK    GASfl. 


ST 


men  at  tlic  moiitli  of  tlie  river,  upon  which   they   were 
tlien  travelling. 

It  is  amusing  to  uoticc  the  iuditTerenco  with  which, 
onr  author,  hy  this  time  has  I'vinied  to  speak  of  dining 
on  horse  flesh.  1'ht)  hunters,  cunio  across  ix  hor.'^e,  shot 
him  and  after  dressing,  hung  him  up  as  if  he  had  been 
a  Buffalo  or  a  bullock,  and  the  party  partook  of  his  fle.sh, 
with  even  more  gusto  peihaps,  than  do  the  Parisian 
gourmands — to  a  certainty,  fliesc  latter,  have  not  .such 
an  excuse  for  an  appetite.  Game  was  utt^'rly  out  of  tliG 
question.  The  water  was  also  warm  and  sol't  and  sick- 
ened them.  Tlie  very  timber  on  tlie  uiountain.s  was 
dead  and  fall,  i  and  starvation  seemc.l  to  bo  the  goniu.s 
of  the  place.  The  oidy  redeoming  feature  mentioned, 
is  a  kind  of  rod:,  suitable  !'<>;•  millstones.  They  here, 
supped  upon  the  last  of  their  horse,  and  l)y  way  of  de- 
sert, finished  on  a  wolf  tbcy  bad  killed;  and  wdiich,  Mr. 
Gass,  calls  very  strong  and  substantial  diet.  After  thip, 
they  came  into  a  section  where  berries  and  Indian  bre.-Kl 
abounded,  but  t'iC  chaii:;\)  of  diet  made  the  men  suik 
and  they  were  forced  to  lie  up  aiul  recruit. 

By  the  1st.  October,  the  luon  had  all  sufficiently  re- 
covercil  to  be  able  to  work,  and  tlie  navigation  had  i^o 
much  improved,  that  it  was  deemed  advisable  t^o  pre- 
pare canoes,  and  continue  the  journey  by  water!  The 
labor  of  hewing  out  canoes  v/as  thuught  too  arduims 
considering  the  weakened  condition  of  the  men  and  ac- 
cordinurlv  thevw;.'re  lioliowed  out  bv  bnrnincc  in  the  In- 
dian  fashion,  whi(di  process  consumed  8'..nio  days;  aivd 
on  the  8th.  they  were  again  prepared  to  continue  tlieir 
voyage.*  Along  the  river  they  discovered  numcrons 
lodges  of  Indians,  who  were  uniformly  pea:.'eably  dispos- 
ed, and  two  chiefs  vrho  volunteered  to  accompany  them, 


't 


I 


! 


ill 

'  1 


I  In  I 


i 

;! 

II 

i-:.? 

II 

■  i  Jij'     1 

lil 

1         il    '1 

If 

r'1 

«8 


I.IFH    AND    TIMEtJ 


gave  th(>ni  t'lo  cluvrijig  a.ssuraiu;o  tliat  cic  lon,i;  they 
tiliuuld  moot  wliiL'-t  poojik',  autl  as  eviiloiico,  of  iho  Itu-t 
thoy  displayod  beads  uud  otiier  tiiukcLS  of  white  inami- 
liictiiro. 

At  the  mouth  ef  tlie  Koo3-coo.s-kie,  ahargo  river  com- 
ing in  from  the   oust,  th"'ir  SDake  gui^le  deserted  them, 
frightened  by  tlie  diflicult y  of  the  luiviguioti.    The  prin- 
cipal portion  of  llie  men  of  this  ban'lof   Flatlieads  liav- 
ing  been  on  ii  war  party,  returned  about  tiiis  time,    and 
Civme  to  the  camp  of  tlie  wliit 's,  but    owing    to    the  ab- 
Bonce  of  an  interpreter  tlicv  were  uiuibh)  to  !.avo   any  in- 
formatiot).     'lli^'v  \vvv<\  liowcviM",    very  peaceably   dib- 
posed,  and  having  received    various  presents,  remained 
loitering  about  the  camp.     ri'.)vi<ious  of  a  suitable  kind 
continued  very  scarce  and  uiuro  horses  were  shiughtered, 
though  the  natives  supplied  them  with  an  abunthmcc  of 
tlieir  kind  of  provision.     What   horses  were  left,  wer« 
got  together  ami  branded  in  Lhe  forlorn  hope  that  they 
would  be  forthcoming  on  their  return;  and  leaving  them 
in  charge  of  an  old  chief  of  the  l-'latheads,  they  embark- 
ed their  canoes  on  tlie  bosom  of  the  Columbia. 

The  operation  of  Ihitetiing  the  heads  of  the  young  In- 
dians, is  giveii  as  follows,  by  Mr.  Gass: 

"This  singulai  aiul  defoiming  operation  is  performed 
in  infancy  in  the  following  manner:  A  piece  of  board  id 
placed  against  the  back  of  the  head,  extending  from  tl^e 
bhoulders  some  distance  above  it;  another  shorter  piece 
extends  from  the  eye-brows  to  the  top  of  the  first,  and 
they  are  then  bound  together  with  thongs  or  cords,  mads 
of  skins,  so  as  to  press  back  the  forehead,  make  the  head 
rise  at  the  top,  and  force  it  out  above  the  ears." 

The  country  on  this  portion  of  the  Columbia  was  bigh, 
dry  prairie,  with  scarcely  timber  enough  to  furnish  fira- 


■i  ^t 


OF    PATniCK    (lASS. 


J»i) 


Liie  I'lU't 
e  man  li- 


ver coin- 
ed tlieiii, 
'he  piiu- 
!;uls  liav- 
mo,  and 
the  ab- 
any  in- 
,ljly  dib- 
■ciRainoxl 
iblc  kind 
glitei'cd, 
idance  of 
eft,  ■\Yer« 
hat  thev 

m 

ng  tliem 
cmbark- 


jiingiu- 


:rformed 
board  is 
from  tike 
er  pioce 
•st,  and 
s,  madfi 
the  head 

18  high, 
ifik  fir<3- 


'^ 


J 


wood  Willi  which  to  c(»ol<,  luit  of  nvera^o  fertility;  th« 
hills  rocky,  but  not  very  high,  and  the  stream  lapidand 
ile;ir,  the  bottom  covered  with  stones  of  an  uniform  round 
hhapc.  The  prevailing  food  wa:^  now  fish  and  dog-moat; 
owing  to  scarcity  of  salt,  the  I'ornuM-  was  insipid,  as  well 
jis  unwholesome,  and  the  num  much  jjreferred  the  lat- 
ter, wdiich,  bays  our  author,  "when  well  cooked,  tastes 
very  well."  Large  numbers  of  dogs,  as  well  as  liorse.s, 
are  kept  by  the  Indians,  autl  these  aniinahs  are  slaught- 
'.;ied  and  faten  witli  as  much  nonch^ilancc  as  our  buteh- 
<MH  would  kill  a  bullock  or  a  .sheep,  and  our  voyagers 
came  gradually  to  prefer  dog-meat,  to  almost  any  oth- 
er kind  of  provisions  the  country  all'orded. 

As  they  passed  down  the  river,  the  navigation  rapid- 
ly impr<jvi'd,  and  wore  it  not  for  the  rapids,  the  Colum- 
bia would  be  a  beautiful  river,  while  the  country,  except 
for  its  uniformity,  had  quite  an  attractive  appearance. 
Hays  Mr.  Gass:  "This  river  in  general  is  very  hand- 
some, except  at  the  rapida,  where  it  is  risking  both  life 
and  property  to  pass;  and  even  these  rapids,  when  the 
bare  view  or  prospect  is  considered  distinct  from  the  ad- 
vaAtages  of  navigation,  may  add  to  its  beauty,  by  in- 
lerspersing  variety  and  scenes  of  romantiu  granduer, 
where  there  iri  eo  much  uniformity  in  the  appearance  oi 
the  country." 

At  the  mouth  of  the  North  West  fork  of  the  Coluiu- 
bia,  called  by  our  party  the  Great  Columbia,  the  coun- 
try all  around  is  level,  rich  and  beautiful,  but  without 
timber.  The  width  of  the  river  at  this  point,  ia  8(30 
yards,  while  the  lesser  fork,  called  now  Lewis'  Kiyer,  is 
m  width,  475  yards.  After  the  confluence,  the  Colum- 
bia becomes  a  majestic  stream,  its  course  interrupted  by 
frei][ueut  rapids,  but  navigable  otherwise  for  large  ves- 


'il 


1 


'■i 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


mJ/ 


V 


,V4 


^^^ 


/A 


z 


t 


1.0 


I.I 


■  45 


1^  1^ 

2.0 

1.8 


IL25  i_U   111.6 


Vi 


9'. 


^1 


7 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corpora.tion 


2r,  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WSBSTER.N.Y.  MSEO 

{/M     17'i-4i03 


90 


LIFE   AND    TIMES 


sels.  Its  waters  swarm  with  salmon  and  other  fitjh, 
which  furnished  subsistence  to  numerous  Indians,  who 
inhabited  its  banks,  but  who,  as  represented  by  Mr. 
Gass,  were  nearly  naked,  and  in  a  miserable  condition. 
In  regard  to  the  natives,  says  the  Journal,  "there  are 
three,  or  part  of  three,  different  nations  here.  They  are 
almost  without  clothing,  having  no  covering  of  any 
account,  except  some  deer  skin  robes  and  a  few  leggins 
of  the  same  materials.  The  women  have  scarce  suffi- 
cient to  cover  their  nakedness.  They  appear  to  be  very 
shy  and  distant.  On  the  19th,  a  number  of  the  natives 
eame  to  our  camp,  and  our  commanding  officers  presen- 
ted one  of  them  with  a  medal  and  other  small  articles. 
Wo  also  passed  a  great  many  Indian  camps;  and  halt- 
ing opposite  a  large  one,  about  thirty-six  canoe  loads 
of  them  came  over  to  see  us;  some  of  them  remaining 
all  night;  but  we  could  not  have  much  conversation  with 
them,  as  we  did  not  understand  their  language.  They 
arr*  clothed  much  in  the  same  manner  with  those  at  the 
forks  above.  The  custom  prevails  among  these  Indians 
of  burying  all  of  the  property  of  the  deceased,  with  the 
body.  Amongst  these  savages  when  any  one  of  them 
dies,  his  baskets,  bags,  clothing,  horses  and  oiher  prop- 
erty are  all  interred:  even  his  canoo  is  split  into  pieces 
and  set  up  around  his  grave.  Next  day,  we  came  to  an 
Indian  camp  on  the  point  of  a  large  island,  where  we 
stopped  and  got  some  fish  and  other  provisions.  We 
here  saw  some  articles  which  showed  that  white  peo- 
ple had  been  here  or  not  far  distant  during  the  summer. 
They  have  a  hempen  seine  and  some  ash  paddles  which 
they  did  not  make  them.selves.  At  1  o'clock,  we  pro- 
ceeded on  again,  went  forty-two  miles,  r\nd  encamped 
without  any  of  the  natives  being  along,  which  is  nnnsual 


OF    PATRICK    GASS. 


91 


her  fish. 

ans,  who 

by  Mr. 

ondition. 

there  are 

They  are 

g  of  any 

V  leqgins 

rce  sufti- 

0  be  very 

e  natives 

s  presen- 

1  articles. 

md  halt- 

loe  loads 

emaining 

P'^H 

tion  with 

•    m 

e.     Thev 

^ 

>se  at  the 

vj 

}  Indians 

1 

with  the 

of  them 

ler  prop- 

,0  pieces 

me  to  an 

^^M 

^'here  we 

IS.     We 

''^^^1 

hite  peo- 

summer. 

es  which 

we  pro- 

[icaroped 

nnnsual 

on  this  river.  We  could  not  get  a  single  stick  of  wood 
to  cook  with;  and  had  only  a  few  small  green  willows. — 
We  continued  our  voyage,  a* id  at  an  early  hour  came  to 
the  lodges  of  some  of  the  natives.  Here  we  got  some 
bread,  made  of  a  small  white  root,  which  grows  in  this 
part  of  the  country.  We  saw  among  them  some  small 
robes  made  of  the  skms  of  grey  squirrels,  some  raccoon 
tikins,  and  acorns,  which  are  signs  of  a  timbered  coun- 
try not  far  distant.  Having  proceeded  on  again,  we 
passed  several  more  lodges  of  Indians;  and  through  two 
very  rocky  rapid  parts  of  the  river  with  great  diflficulty. 
The  next  morning  was  fine,  and  we  saw  a  great  num- 
ber of  ducks,  geese  and  gulls.  At  10  o'clock  we  came 
to  a  large  island,  where  the  river  has  cut  its  way  through 
the  point  of  a  high  hill.  Opposite  to  this  island  a  large 
river  comes  in  on  the  south  side,  called  by  the  natives 
Sho-sho-ne  or  Snake-Indian  river;  and  which  has  large 
rapids  close  to  its  mouth.  This,  or  the  Ki-moo-ce-neira, 
is  the  same  river,  who?  3  head  waters  we  saw  at  the  Snake 
nation.  The  natives  are  very  numerous  on  the  islands, 
and  all  along  the  river.  Their  lodges  are  of  bulrushes 
and  flags,  made  into  a  kind  of  mats,  and  formed  into  a 
hut  or  lodge.'* 

On  Wednesday,  the  2iU  October,  1805,  they  reach- 
ed the  rapids  or  great  falls  of  the  Columbia,  the  first 
pitch  of  which  is  20  feet  perpendicular,  being  thirty- 
seven  feet  in  a  distance  of  twelve  hundred.  The  wa- 
ter sometime  reaches  to  a  height  of  forty-eight  feet,  at 
which  times,  the  falls  become  only  a  rapids  and  can  be 
•afely  passed  over  with  boats.  At  ordinary  times,  the 
channel  is  only  seventy  feet  wide  for  some  three  miles; 
*nd  the  immense  mass  of  water  being  thus  confined, 
rushes  with  almost  lightning  velocity.     About  the  great 


I'll 


1^ 


di 


T.IFR    AND    TTMrS 


:    ! 


I 


])itt'li,  tho  appoaraiu'c  of  the  place  is  said  to  ho  fcrritlc 
Trmiiendons  rocks  tlireatcn  to  topplv3  over  with  the- 
trenihling  of  theeartlH  and  the  mighty  volume  of  wa- 
ter pouring  over  into  so  contracted  a  channel  lashes  it- 
self into  foam  and  furv.  The  waters  seem  in  torment, 
and  the  hoholder  invariahly  feels  creeping  upon  him  a 
sensation  of  awo  aiuf  oven  of  foar,  of  so  indefinable  a 
nature,  that  he  involuntarily  shrinks  from  the  contcm- 
2)lation.  For  a  considerable  distance  from  this  point 
continuous  navigation  was  rendered  impossible  by  sim- 
ilar obstructions;  and  the  party  was  forced  to  carry  their 
canoes  and  loading  by  land — sometimes  for  miles  at  a 
stretch,  and  thus  slowly  and  laboriously,  they  pursued 
their  difficult  way  over  this  portion  of  the  river.  At 
length,  tho  current  of  the  river  became  more  uniform 
and  they  were  enabled  to  make  better  headw?\y,  holding 
occasional  conferences  with  tho  natives,  from  whom 
they  learned  that  a  conspiracy  was  being  formed  among 
the  Indians  farther  down,  to  wavlav  and  exterminate 
them;  ami  subsisting  on  dog,  dried  fish,  and  such  other 
delicacies  as  they  were  able  to  procure  from  the  Indians, 
Occasionally,  a  deer  was  killed  and  brought  in  by  the 
hunters,  while  water  fowl  was  quite  abundant.  Obvi- 
ously, their  situation  was  improving,  as  they  descended 
from  the  inhospitable  mountain  country  into  the  fortUo 
bottom  lauds  of  the  Columbia. 

Monday,  November  4th,  opened  up  fine,  clear  and 
frosty,  and  the  portion  of  the  river  they  were  in,  ex- 
cited their  admiration  by  its  beauty;  but  more  cheering 
even  than  the  contrast  of  such  a  river,  with  that  over 
which  they  had  made  such  toilsome  progress,  was  the 
fact  revealed  to  their  vision,  that  the  river  rose  and  foil 
with  the  tide,  and  the  information  conveyed  by  eigne  by 


T»F    FATIUt  K    OA.sS. 


1)3 


'ihc  Indians,  (liat  in  two  more  day^^  thoy  would  see  ships  . 
with  white  men  in  tliem.  As  evidence  of  tlioir  veraci- 
ty, they  displayed  quantities  of  uinv  cloth,  and  of  trin- 
kets tlicy  had  (djtnined  from  the  sliijts,  and  the  despair- 
ing mariners  of  Christopher  Columbus,  never  viewed 
with  more  solicitous  curiosity  or  more  heartfelt  satis- 
faction the  lloating  evidences  of  the  land  they  were  seek- 
ing beyond  the  western  waters,  than  did  our  adventu- 
rers these  sii'ns  and  svmbtds  of  a  civilization  to  which 
they  had  been  for  so  many  weary  months  such  total 
strangers.  At  length,  on  the  IGth.  N«»vcmber,  1805, 
they  saw  for  the  iirst  time  the  waters  of  the  Pacific.  For 
some  (lavs  there  had  been  almostu  constant  storm,  and 
the  bay  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Avas  turbulent  and 
rorgh;  so  that  their  first  impression:^  of  the  great  wes- 
tern ocean  was  anything  but  favorable  as  to  its  pacific 
character.  All  tlie  reflections,  our  journalist,  who  is 
as  sententious^  as  Tacitus,  on  t^nich  subjects,  has  to  make 
on  an  event,  which  might  well  be  considered  an  epoch 
in  an  ordinary  lifetime,  and  with  a  more  ambitions  au- 
thor might  have  excused  some  self  glorification,  are 
embodied  in  the  following  short  quotation,  the  brevity 
of  which  is  only  surpassed  by  its  exceeding  modesty. — 
"We  are  now  at  the  end  of  our  voyage,  which  has  been 
completely  accomplished  according  to  the  intention  of 
the  expedition,  the  object  of  which  wac,  to  discover  a 
passage  by  the  way  of  the  Missouri  and  Columbia  river« 
to  the  Pacific  ocean;  notwithstanding  the  difficulties, 
privations  and  dangers  which  we  had  to  encounter,  en- 
dure and  surmount," 

There  appears  to  have  been  very  little  romance  or 
«eutiment  about  any  of  the  party,  all  such  unsubstan- 
tial ideas   having   been  starved  out  by  hard,  practical 


-  It 


II 


94 


LIFE    AND   TIMES 


1      ?■ 


experience;  as  the  next  intimation  wo  have  of  their 
jiroceedings,  is,  that  five  of  them  went  out  to  hunt  and 
returned  with  so  many  doer,  ducks  and  goose;  while 
the  balance  quietly  sat  down  to  wait  for  Captain  Lew- 
is, who  with  some  men  had  gone  in  quest  of  the  white 
people  of  whom  the  Indians  had  informed  them  hy  signs. 
The  broad  Pacific  rolled  before  them  in  its  turbulent 
majesty:  at  their  backs,  frowned  the  mountains  whoso 
fastnesses  they  had  dared  and  whoso  secrets  they  had 
learned:  while  at  their  feet,  lay  a  fertile  land  of  bound- 
less extent,  watered  by  mighty  rivers  and  in  a  genial 
climate  but  in  unclaimed  and  savage  wildness;  but  they 
threw  neither  fetters  in  the  sea  or  planted  stakes  upon 
the  land.  There  was  no  planting  of  crosses,  no  advan- 
cing of  banners,  no  ceremonies  to  commemorate  the  oc- 
casion, such  as  other  explorers  had  deemed  necessary 
when  a  country  was  to  bo  wrested  by  the  grace  of  God 
from  its  natural  owners,  and  transfcrod  by  a  flourish  of 
paper,  burning  of  gunpowder  and  sacriligious  calling 
upon  Deity,  to  his  catholic  or  his  protosiant  majesty; 
but  in  a  plain  matter  of  fact  way  they  went  about  their 
business,  seemingly  unconscious  that  they  were  the  pi- 
oneers in  the  greatest  Exodus  that  has  ever  happened 
since  Jehovah  himself,  led  his  chosen  people  from  the 
land  of  their  bondage  into  a  country  flowing  with  milk 
and  honey. 

.  Like  the  Israelites  of  old,  full  forty  years  elapsed 
before  the  fruition  of  hope;  and  aU*\lio  wanderers,  save 
one,  were  in  their  graves,  before  the  land  they  discov- 
ered became  in  reality  the  land  of  promise.  Mr.  Gass, 
alone'survives,  the  sole  living  testimony  to  a  modern 
miracle,  almost  rivalling  in  its  wonderful  sequences 
the  journey  through  the  Red  sea  and  over  the  desert  wil- 


^Si.i 


OF   PATRICK      GAS8. 


c  of  tbcu 
lunt  and 
;c;  while 
in  Lew- 
he  white 
by  signs, 
urbulent 
s  whoso 
]iey  had 
f  hound - 
a  genial 
hut  thev 
vcs  upon 
o  advan- 
0  the  00- 
ecessary 
(of  God 
^urish  of 
calling 
majesty; 
)ut  their 
B  the  pi- 
appened 
Vom  the 
ith  milk 

elapsed 
(I's,  save 

discov- 
r.  Gas8, 
modern 
quenees 
jert  wil- 


'{erness  led  by  the  prophet  of  God.  Forty  years  after 
him,  a  living  stream  of  adventurous  men  began  to  pour 
into  the  vallies  of  California  and  Oregon;  they  swarm- 
ed over  the  sterile  plains  and  scaled  the  mountain 
passes,  and  their  sails  whitened  the  bays  and  harbors  of 
the  coasts.  The  wild  Indian  looked  on  amazed,  and 
the  haunts  of  the  buffalo  and  griz/ly,  echoed  with  the 
shouts  of  teamsters  and  the  creaking  of  loaded  wains, 
as  company  after  company  and  drove  after  drove  pur- 
sued their  wearisome  way,  impelled,  as  it  were,  by 
tlie  liand  of  Providence,  to  settle  and  thus  subdue  this 
modern  Canaan.  In  ten  years  time,  cities,  villages  and 
hamlets  sprang  up;  the  Golden  .State  was  organized, 
and  J;  opled  with  an  enterprising,  intelligent  popula- 
tion an  '  added  to  the  great  confederacy,  whose  domain 
was  thu>  made  continental.  C'alifornia,  the  result  of 
this  grand  irruption,  although  but  an  infant  in  years, 
has  already  outstripped  some  of  her  older  sisters  in  all 
the  attributes  of  greatness — numbers,  wealth  and  intel- 
ligence; and  other  embryo  states  are  knocking  for  ad- 
mission in  the  mountains  of  Oregon.  Singularly  enough, 
the  pillar  of  fire  by  night  and  the  cloud  by  day,  in  this 
modern  Exodus,  was  gold, — gold  in  the  dreams  and 
gold  in  the  daylig^it  visions  of  the  thousands  of  every 
name  and  clime,  who  now  people  the  Golden  State,  or 
whiten  with  their  bones  the  same  plains  and  sierras 
skirted  and  traversed  by  our  adventurous  party.  It 
does  seem  indeed  as  though  the  hand  of  Providence 
were  in  it.  For  thousands  of  years  the  yellow  metal 
had  reposed,  waiting  in  the  sands,  the  time  when  all 
things  conspiring,  it  should  be  disclosed  to  tempt  the 
cupidity  of  man,  and  accomplish  in  the  settlement  of 
the  country  the  beneficent  designs  of  the  Creator.     The 


1 ' 


f 


(h; 


T.ri'K    ANO     riMKH 


world  was  alliit  poaco,  and  nn('.\aiiij)li\l  prosperity  hov- 
r'rt'd  over  all  i\w  nutioiiN  of 'he.  lulli.     ( ■oTnitn'ri-iul  rn- 


)l('.st,  tl«'Vt'l( 


a  111 


torpnscwfts  lu  its  amplest,  tIrvtIopiiuMit,  iiiid  inc  K]nrii 
of  Kpoculiition  was  rit"«^  in  evcrv  laii'l  iVopIc  worn  just 
ready  for  sticli  a  discovtMy  ol'  irol'l.  I  !i<.  disclosuro 
i»rok(?  upon  them  liko  tlic  news  ofu  piuiic,  .-ill  listenod, 
nil  bolic^M'd — few  rofiiH'tcd — ;nid  iiiiiny  vciturod. — 
Scar('(!l y  a  nation  «»n  llu^'artii,  luit  uus  soon  icproscn- 
t«Ml  in  ('j\lit'(M-uin.  Nativos  of  llic  I'l  l(>sliul  I'lnipiro  lan- 
ded from  thoir  jntiks;  hai'lturoiis  islanders  from  llio  ['a 
t'ilic;  Africans',  Asiatit's,  iMirofX'aiis,  and  Arnoricans, 
all  conceutratotl  n|)(Hi  lior  shores  in  the  ii.sh  after  the 
e;older.  pri/.o.  'The  se«]n(d  has  denK)nslratoil,  it  is  trut,-. 
lliat  all  is  not mdd  that  y^litters.  hut  has  proNcn  in  tht* 
I'ar  Rearehinj;'  providenee  ol"  ( Jod  ii  u oild-wide  Idessiri;;', 

Of  all  this  strand  dcvelo|iinent,  oiir  jiarty  had  no  itlea, 
find  probably  had  a  y>roph(;t  risen  iVom  his  «;!avo  to  re- 
veal the  future,  they  would  have  treated  him  with  in- 
(  rcdnlous  scorn.  Such  is  shorl  si'^hled  man,  with  nil 
his  knowled|;e,  ill  his  .sauacity,  all  his  courjv.m;  and  hi;* 
[)rido. 

The  whites  referred  to  by  the  I/idians  luul  departed 
shortly  before  they  arrived,  leavinj^  them  and  the  In- 
dians sole  monarehs  of  the  domain.  Capt.  Lewis  dis- 
covered where  they  had  encam|'/ed,  but  our  author  gives 
US  no  information  as  to  the  nation  or  character  of  the 
ships,  referred  to,  thoui;h  nK»re  than  probable  they  Avere 
Yankee  whaleri;,  who  iuul  put  in  here  for  u  little  dicker 
with  the  Indians  during  the  trading  season. 

Having  reached  the  mouth  of  ^tlic  Columbia,  after 
traversing  over  four  thousand  miles,  of  unexplored  wil- 
derness, and  expending  eighteen  consecutive  months  in 
the  operation,  it  became  advisable  to  take  measures  i'o,\ 


or    r.\Tlll<  h     (lAHH 


07 


)rity  liov- 
KTcIul  c.n- 
tlui  Hpirit 

wrro  just 
lisclosuro 

liHtcuicil, 
.  tiirod. — 
roprc'scn- 
ii{)ire  liin- 
n  llio  I 'a 
inoriciiiiK. 

ul'tor  the 
it  is  triu.'. 
,vn  in  tlie 

lilossin-^. 
I  no  [den, 
fU'o  to  ro- 
,  u'illi  ill- 
,  with  nil 

e  uiul  his 

departed 
the  Tn- 
cwirt  (lis- 
lor  jjfives 
or  of  tin; 
hoy  wo  IV 
lo  diokei 

ia,  after 
ored  wil- 
louths  in 
siirob  foi- 


ft 


spoiulinp  tlio  winl<;r  soasoii  ns  ooiiiroi taltly  ns  poesihlo, 
hcforo  coimnfiMiiiL,'  their  rotiini  in  tiio  spring.  Novom- 
hor  was  far  advaiifod  ainl  iht;  inricasing  inch'nuincy  of 
the  weather,  Wiirncd  iIkmii  to  he  on  llie  alcit.  During  a 
n\ontii  spent  al  lie-  mouth <»ft hit  ( 'oliinihia,  reuonnoitor- 
iiig  the  eounlis ,  t  hey  ex  peiifiiecil  ciily  throo  fair  days 
and  it  was  not  uilil  th(>  .')lii.  ■  f  l)ei-einh«'r,  LSllT),  th(!y 
were  ahh*.  to  jdleh  u|ion  a  spoi  that  suited  tlieir  purpose; 
and  lljey  immediately  proceeded  to  uiovv.  their  orfeetH  to 
th(!  [ihiee,  a  diMtame  of  some  'itter'n  miles  up  ^a  snuill 
hraneli  comini,^  iuii»  the  hay,  wiiero  they  found  gamo  in 
eonsiderahhi  ahundanr(>,  and  the  I'aeiiitios  for  making 
Halt,  i)f  whiidi  they  stood  greatly  in  need.  J'^IU  were 
seen  in  large!  numlnMs,  und  (|uile  a  iiiimher  W(>re  killed 
hv  the  liuntors  of  the  pari  v.  Uv  Christmas  dav,  tlieir 
winter  quarters  \N('i-e  completed,  heing  nuide  of  j>un- 
ehoons  and  logs  eomfortahly  datdiod  with  mud,  and  the 
men  lelt  their  hunting  eau^)  and  moved  into  thorn.  On 
( 'iiristmas  morning  all  the  mi-n  parad(!d,  andliringa 
lound  of  .•<mall  arms,  wished  the  commanding  ofHoors 
a  merry  (.'hristnuis.  This  api)f'ars  to  have  been  a  kind 
of  superogatory  wish,  as  our  author  intimates  that  the 
articde  with  wliich  to  7n(d'c  mcrnj  tiie  lioart  of  man  had 
Utng  since  vanished,  hut  the  ol'lioors  in  the  true  spirit 
of  courtesy  accei»tcd  the  will  'for  the  deed,  and  in  lieu 
of  grog,  collected  what  tohaoco  was  left,  and  divided 
it  among  those  who  used  the  weed,  by  way  of  (Jhristmaa 
gift;  while  those  who  did  not,  lunl  to  solace  themselves 
with  cotton  handkerchiefs.  The  party  were  now  all  in 
excellent  health;  with  plenty  of  moat,  and  generally 
well  provided  for,  except  that  they  had  no  salt,  owing 
to  the  want  of  which,  a  great  deal  of  their  meat  was 
8])oiIed.     Although  in  so  northern  a  latitude  and  at  so 


/m 


m 


08 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


I    I 


II : 


late  a  season,  the  weather  still  continued  warm  enough' 
to  allow  ticks,  tlies,  and  odier  insects  to  exist  in  annoy- 
ing abundance,  and  it  was  almost  unintcrmittingly  rai- 
ny. January  and  February,  wore  away,  with  nothing 
remarkable  to  disturb  the  monotony  of  killing  elk,  ma- 
king salt  and  preserving  the  moat,  unless  the  incident 
of  a  dead  whale  105  feet  in  length,  washed  upon  the 
beach,  bo  considered  of  sufticient  importance  to  bear 
narration.  This  state  of  attairs,  continued  until  about 
the  1st  of  March,  when  it  was  determined  that  they 
should  set  out  on  their  return  to  tlio  states.  It  may  be 
supposed  that  this  determination  was  viewed  with  an 
unanimous  approval  and  that  visions  of  welcome  home 
by  friends,  I'Indrod  and  sweethearts,  and  of  that  lion- 
orable  estimation  for  daring  and  perseverence,  so  dear 
to  ambitious  and  adventurous  characters,  and  that 
prompts  men  to  seek  the  bubble  even  at  the  cannon's 
niA'ifV.  warmed  the  hearts  of  our  travellers  into  some- 
th)  f  a  glow  as  they  again  took  the  trail  for  the  far 
country  away  to  the  east  of  the  mountain  ranges  on  the 
farther  slope  of  the  continent.  It  is  natural  to  imag- 
ine that  men  under  such  circumstances  would  indulge 
in  some  such  visions,  and  we  will  credit  them  witli 
enough  of  common  human  sympathy  to  suppose  such  a 
case,  but  strict  historic  truth  warrants  no  such  a  pleas- 
ant fiction  from  anything  found  in  tlie  pages  of  our  au- 
ihor.  Long  acquaintance  with  Indian  habits  had  ap- 
parently induced  a  stoic  pride,  which  forbade  manifesta- 
tion of  feeling  by  words;  and  the  page  is  as  destitute 
of  reflection,  gratulation  or  of  any  cxliibition  of  human 
feeling,  in  any  shape,  as  the  rocky  slopes  of  the  savage 
mountains  were  of  cheering  verdure.  We  have  the 
naked  record,  that  without  any  particular  stir,  they  left 


OF    PATRICK    OA83. 


00 


tlioir  pncampniont  al)Out  tlio  1st.  of  Mfirdi  l^OG,  nnd 
journeyed  by  slow  and  irrejj^ular  stai^os  up  the  (Colum- 
bia river.  The  journey  up  this  river  ia  meac^re  of  inci- 
dent— being  merely  a  ropofition  of  what  occurred  du- 
ring the  descent.  They  subsisted  on  game,  which  they 
found  in  abundance;  and  on  the  dog  moat,  with  wliicli 
the  Inilians  abundantly  supplied  then.  'Iheir  long  de- 
privation from  the  luxuries  of  civili/cd  life,  hutl  had  its 
effect  upon  their  physical  as  well  as  their  mental  and 
social  nature,  and  the  food  which  wonhi  revolt  the 
stomach  of  the  pampered  dwellers  in  onr  land  of  caso 
.«jnd  plenty  had  become  to  them  not  only  nourishing  but 
savory.  It  is  curious  to  observe  the  etiCect  of  circum- 
Rtances  upon  the  tastes  and  characters  of  men,  and  the 
result  of  the  observation  will  be  that  man  of  all  living 
animals  possesses  not  only  the  most  pliable  of  constitu- 
tions, enabling  him  to  surmount  all  hardships  and  pri- 
vations; but  that  his  very  nature  can  be  so  changed  and 
made  to  conform  to  the  features  of  the  surrounding  cir- 
cumstances, that  he  may  become  in  time  radically  dis- 
tinct from  his  blood  kindred.  Thus  it  is,  that  the  va- 
rious races  of  men  have  increased  upon  th(?  earth,  which, 
philosophers  for  the  lack  of  a  better  phrase  have  de- 
nominated varieties;  and  liencc,  in  the  various  Indian 
tribes  of  the  American  continent,  amounting  to  8omo 
hun(ired,  no  two  are  so  similar  but  that  they  may  be  easi- 
ly distinguished  by  physical  marks,  which  every  Indi- 
an could  recogni.se.  In  fact  the  trappers  and  hunters 
of  the  western  prairies  become  themselves  a  species  of 
red-men,  not  larthcr  removed  in  appearance,  habits  and 
speech  from  the  true  Indian  type,  than  from  the  white 
stock  from  which  they  spring.  Time  and  circumstan- 
ces we  have  reason  to  believe,  would  make  them  and 


'    i; 


ill 


«.''ii 
t 


100 


MFK    A\D    TIMES 


j  :  Iji,  i 


tlieirdcsctMitliints  as  much  Indiiiii  as  the  Camanchcs  or 
Fhit-lii'iulH  jimoii^'  whom  tlicy  exist. 

About  till!  Falls  of  tlio  (.'ohunhia,  the  crossing  of 
which  was  oll'cctcd  without  any  particular  incident,  Mr. 
(hiss  s\Miii\s.<  of  observing'  on  the  plains  a  "»pccie8  of 
clover  as  1jii;^(!  as  any  ho  had  seen  in  ihc  States,  and 
bearing  a  largo  rod  hlos>!om."  Tin!  leaves,  lie  Hnys, 
wore  not  <iuite  so  largo  as  ihosc  of  th';  nid  clover  of  the 
States,  but  more  abundant,  being  from  six  to  eight  on  a 
branch,  whereas  the  latter  has  hut  three,  lie  speaks  in 
Ijigh  torms  of  tho  a|)pearanco  of  the  country  in  this  vi- 
cinity, nnder  tho  genial  intluenoe  of  tho  spring's  alter- 
nate sun  ami  showers,  in  tho  distance  to  the  southwest, 
was'  to  bo  seen  a  range  of  snow  clad  mountains,  glittcf- 
ing  in  the  sunlight,  a  sad  reminder  of  tho  diflicultiea 
thev  were  vet  to  ftucountor,  while  at  their  feet  was  a  soft 
emerald  swanl,  bedecked  with  gay  llowers,  and  gatlier- 
ing  additional  beauty  from  tho  contrast.  They  Imlted 
at  this  pleasant  spot  for  some  little  space,  and  wore  en- 
tertained with  a  grand  dance  by  the  Indians,  who  flocked 
to  see  them  from  all  qnarlers.  After  procuring  a  snp- 
ply  of  dogs,  with  comas  roots  and  shai)-pa-]eel  for  pro- 
visions, on  the  1st  ot  May  they  resumed  their  line  of 
march  toward  the  east,  fleeting  with  considerable  dif- 
licnlty  in  procnring  a  proper  snpply  of  eatables,  they 
travelled  up  the  Columbia,  passing  the  junction  of  the 
Kooscoos-kie,  on  the  OthofM.ay,  1800,  and  recovering 
on  their  route,  several  of  tho  horses,  which  they  had  left 
in  the  care  of  tho  old  Indian,  on  their  way  over;  and 
which  were  punctually  returned,  and  acting  as  physi- 
cians for  tho  Indians,  who  had  as  high  an  estimate  of  the 
white  man's  sliill  in  medicine,  as  modern  pill  venders 
have  of  the  efficacy  of  Indian  remedies — and  generally 


S'^a 


OF    PATIUCK    nAS8. 


101 


roniloriiip  tlieiii  ,olvps  ngiTcalde  to  the  nativrs — which 
was  lowardod  hy  many  kind  oflioes  on  th«»  part  of  tlicsa 
lattor.  Mr.  Gass'  ways  that  "all  the  Indians  from  th<' 
Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Falls  of  the  Cohnnbia,  are  an 
liouest,  ingenuous  and  well  disposed  people;  but  from 
the  Falls  to  the  sea  coast,  and  aloni,'  it,  they  aiea  rascal- 
ly thieving  set."  Chastity  in  his  oj)iniou,  teiMns  to  have 
hoen  considered  a  virtue  among  none  of  tiie  tribes. — 
As  they  ascended  the  slope  of  the  mountains  they  ex- 
perienced consideraldc  dilliculty  from  the  snow  which 
Uioy  found  several  inches  deep  and  still  occasionully 
falling  and  provisions  very  scarce,  so  that  t'.i\v  wer« 
frequently  obliged  to  kill  and  eat  their  beas'  •  of  burden 
as  well  as  doif-meat  and  roots,  Tliey  therefore  acting 
under  the  advice  of  the  Indians,  concluded  to  delay  a 
short  while,  during  wi»ich  time  the  snow  might  become 
sullicientlv  melted  to  allow  of  crossing  the  MountainK. 
The  time  here  was  improved  by  the  hunters  in  procurinjf 
meat;  and  by  the  olliccrs  in  the  practice  of  the  heiling 
art  among  ih*;  Indians,  numbers  of  whom  were  brought 
by  their  friends  fur  the  benelit  of  their  st^rvi'.'es.  On  the 
15th.  they  left  this  place,  called  the  "Commas-flat,"  the 
lirst  place  where  they  had  found  any  of  tho  natives,  tha 
fall  before,  after  crossing  the  mountains;  and  which,  is 
represented  to  contain  about  2000  acres  of  land,  covered 
at  that  time  with  strawberries  in  blossom  and  Burrotmd- 
ed  with  excellent  pine  timber  of  various  kinds.  Thoy 
had  now  sixty-^ix  horses  all  in  good  order  and  were  a- 
gain  tolerably  well  stocked  with  provisions.  They  found 
iho  snow  in  the  mountains  varying  from  five  to  fifteen 
feet  deep,  cotircly  obliterating  any  track  and  rendering 
it  dangerous  as  well  as  impracticable  to  proceed  with- 
out a  guide.     In  this  emergency,  they  wero  forced   to 


I 

II 


i 


,^i 


'ill  >  I 


.  f  ,'i 


1; 


nil 


1  : 


* 


T'ti 


;10ii 


MFK    ANI»    TIMKS 


\{\v\\    lijick,   disMpjxiiiitcd    uiul    inclnnclioly.      Notwith 
hljiMiiiii.i;  (lie  SHOW  in   such  troultlcsdtim  proximity,  tlio 
tnos(jui((»s  ami  jj^iuits  wmmp  cxtriMiu'ly  iiimoyinjjf,  comp*'!- 
lin^  (Ikmu  l(»  built!  simill  tiros  to  pr(»t(H't  llio  Iiofhch  IVoni 
(luMr  iittat  ks. 

A' length.  »)H  tln>  Isl.  iliily,  iSOt),  tlwy  luid  pnKsnl 
tho  more  tlil^icii!!  p(n  tion  uf  (licir  Kuitc,  crosHin^^  thr 
nu)unt;\ins,  ;ui'l  IuiIIimI  lo  ir-1  ul  tlu'  njoulli  of  ( 'iurkc'fi 
livor.  The  ptuty.  was  Ikmc  scparat.tMl;  u  part,  goirig  up 
this  river,  witi»  Captain  ("larke;  our  hero  nmlor  thij 
connnanti  ut"  Captain  Jiewis,  with  severul  otlierw  liav- 
inii;  to  go  Nttaight  airoHH  to  the  ImiIIh  of  the  Missouri, 
whoro  tlu'V  ha«l  left  some  eanoes.  On  tlu5  JJnl.  tfuly, 
they  stftrted — Captain  Clarke  uji  tho  river  and  liGwis 
an«l  his  jiarty,  witli  the  uccoinpanyin^  nativ(^n,  (h)\vn. — 
They  liere  dismissed  their  guides  with  m..*iy  prosentB, 
and  Mr.  (Jass,  again  highly  complinumtH  the.so  Indians, 
■ns  "liospitablo,  obliging,  and  good  hearted  Hons  of  tisc 
West." 

After  wandering  around  through  the  broken  country 
Ivimr  between  tho  waters  of  the  (ndumbia  and  tho  Miss- 
oiui,  our  explorers  on  the  7th,  eatuo  u[)on  tho  dividing 
ridgo  whieh  finally  Heparated  them;  and  starting  from  a 
mountain  s^^ring,  they  followed  its  course,  day  after  day, 
until  on  the  11th.  they  Ktruelv  the  main  river  near  the 
ficene  of  th»ir  oncampment  tho  winter  before.  A  few 
days  were  spent  at  this  point  in  looking  up  their  bag- 
gage and  bouts  coucealeil  previouH  to  crossing  toward 
the  west;  and  Buffalo  and  otlu'r  game  being  very  abun- 
dant it  was  considered  advi^able  lor  the  larger  portiou 
of  the  party  to  remain  and  lay  in  a  stock  of  provisions; 
aod  make  such  arrangements  as  might  be  advisable 
previous  to   attempting  tlic   descent  of  the  Missouri; 


Of    rATUl<;K    (»AH«. 


lO.'i 


L>t'  ('lurk<''f< 

t  K<>i"K  "I» 
iiiiilor  tliM 
tliorH   hftv 
i<  MiKstMiri, 
JJril.  tluly, 
and  Lewis 
IS,  down. — 
,y  pro8(Mit8, 
se  Indiuns, 
Hon8  of  the 

;on  country 
I  the  Miss- 

10  dividing 
ing  from  a 

y  after  day, 

^er  near  the 
A  few 


whilfl  Captain  TiOvvJH,  witli  tlirnn  IiiintnrH  wonid  aRcond 
and  cxplorotho  Hoction  of  (;oiintry,  lyinj^  on  Maria'Hrivor. 

llin  inHtrnrtioMs  wor(!  to  await  Imh  rfitiirn  at  the  month 
of  Maria'H  river,  until  tin;  Iwt  of  SopttMnhnr,  at  which 
titiK'  Khon'd  hi"  n«>t  arrivr,  they  wvvc  t<»  procccjd  on  to 
jf»in(!af»t.  ( 'larko  at  th(Mii'»Mlh  <A'  Vrllow  Hton<',  and 
rontiniK!  thcrM'o  homeward;  i>iit  ho  informed  them,  tliat 
if  'Mife  and  heaifli  he  spared,  h»'  would  intM^t  them  at 
the  month  of  iMaria's  Itiver  on  the  Titli  of  An),;iiKt." — 
Tho  Captain  departed  on  liin  Mn(;ertain  niinhion,  and 
out  fiero  and  the  lar^fM'  j>ortion  of  tlie  ]»arty  rernaim^d 
in  camp,  o('en[>i«vl  in  himtiriL,'  arid  repairs.  The  hear« 
were  had  andono  oeeasion,  ('ajit.  Ijowis  camo  into  8ueh 
close  quarters  witli  one,  that  he  hrrdco  his  gun  over  hru- 
in'H  head,  and  while  the  animal  waH  recovering  from 
the  KJioek,  found  oj)[U)rtunity  to  climh  4  tre(;,  wfierethe 
animal  hosiegeci  him  f(;r  three  nioi  tal  hourw.  However, 
hruin'fl  patience  at  length  gHV(!  way,  and  the  Captain, 
duly  thankful  for  his  safe  deliverance,  descended  and 
caught  his  horse;,  which  l»y  the  way  had  taken  fright 
and  thrown  him  almost  into  the  teeth  of  the  bear,  about 
two  miles  off,  and  made  the   best  of  his  way  to  camp. 

Hunday  the  27th,  found  the  pirty  duly  provided  with 
provisions  and  (^onvcyancos  at  the  mouth  of  Maria'n 
river,  and  quite  unexpectedly  they  met  Capt.  Lewis, 
with  his  three  hunters,  who  had  had  a  skirmish  with  a 
party  of  (irosventrc,  or  big-l;elly  hidians.  They  ha<l 
encounte'-'^d  tho  party,  who  af)pearcd  very  friendly,  ex- 
changed presents  and  passed  the  night  with  them  {)eace- 
ably  enough;  but  the  next  moining,  they  Huddealy 
Kna  tchcJ  up  the  guns  of  three  of  the  whites,  and  made 
off  with  them,  the  whites  followed,  and  one  of  the  In- 
tliani    was  killed  by  a  stab  with  a  knife,  and  another 


(A 


II 


M 


i^lif 


104 


LIFE    ANlJ    T1ML8 


mortally  wounded  by  a  shot,  tlio  nliitos  escaping  un- 
harmed and  recovering  uU  their  arms,  besides  coming 
into  possession  of  a  number  of  horses,  which  the  Indians 
abandoned  in  their  llight.  The  experience,  however, 
satisfied  the  party  as  to  the  exploration  of  Maria's  riv- 
er, and  making  all  haste  toward  the  moiitli,  they  reach- 
ed it  at  about  the  same  time  the  main  party  arrived,  ac 
cording  to  appointment. 

On  the  2Dth  of  .hily,  having  perfected  all  their  ar- 
rangements, they  turned  their  horses  loose  on  the  plains 
to  take  care  of  themselves,  and  embarked  in  their  ca- 
noes to  descend  the  Missouri.  The  river  being  high 
and  rapid,  their  descent  was  rapid,  and  comparatively 
without  adventure,  beyond  the  occasional  killing  of  a 
bear,  and  the  ordinary  incidents  of  hunting  experience. 

On  the  7th,  arriviuLr  at  the  mouth  of  Yellowstone, 
the  appointed  rendezvous  with  Capt.  Clarke,  they  dis- 
covered that  he  had  gone  some  time  before,  and  left  no 
trace,  except  some  few  words  written  in  the  sand,  sta- 
ting that  he  had  gone  a  few  miles  farther  down.  They 
folhjwed,  passed  several  of  his  camps  in  succession,  and 
on  the  12th,  overtook  him  and  his  party,  all  in  good 
health  and  spirits,  and  piously  ejaculates  our  hero, — 
"thank  God,  we  are  all  together  again."  Their  jour- 
ney was  now  drawing  to  a  close,  after  having  endured 
hardships  and  uncertainties  ot  an  expedition  unexam- 
pled for  the  length  of  time  occupied,  the  territory  trav- 
erbodandthe  successful  prosecution  of  the  same,  they 
had  at  last  all  got  again  together,  and  were  speeding 
with  light  hearts  and  glad  anticipations  toward  their 
own  yet  distant  homes.  No  further  difiSculties  need 
be  anticipated,  and  a  very  few  days  woufd  again  enable 
I  hem  to  see  the  welcome  faces  of  white  men  and  resums 


OF    PATRICK    OA88. 


105 


-       ( 


the  almost  forgotten  customs  of  civilized  life.  Already 
the  vanguards  of  the  white  man  were  around  them,  and 
laily  they  passed  or  overtook  trappers  who  were  follow- 
ing their  vocation  among  the  Indians  of  the  Missouri, 
and  from  tliem  chey  received  their  first  news,  albeit, 
a  twelvemonth  old,  of  the  occurrences,  the  changes  and 
revolutions  that  had  occurred  during  their  protracted 
exile. 

Among  all  their  privations,  none  seem  to  have  af- 
focted  them  worse  than  that  of  tobacco,  and  according- 
ly the  opportunity  to  exchange  a  boat  load  of  corn  witii 
a  St.  Louis  trader  for  a  supply  of  the  comforting  weed, 
was  a  source  of  exceeding  juy,  and  thought  worthy  of 
commemoration  in  Mr.  Gass'  JournaL  Their  first  call 
was  for  tobacco.  Say  what  we  will,  about  the  folly  or 
the  evils  of  the  use  of  this  article,  there  is  certainly  a 
charm  about  it,  which  to  properly  appreciate,  one  must 
submit  to  a  long  deprivation.  Alike  to  the  sailor,  the 
•oldier,  the  traveller,  the  trapper,  as  well  as  to  the  man 
of  more  steady  habits  in  settled  life;  it  is  a  comfort  in 
fatigue,  a  stand-by  in  distress;  and  a  promoter  of  good 
will,  a  peace  maker  in  argument,  and  a  friend  in  all 
emergencies,  especially  those  requiring  a  quick  intel- 
lect, a  cool  head  and  a  resolute  will.  From  another 
St.  Louis  trader  they  procured  a  supply  of  Monongehela 
whiskey,  the  first  spiritous  liquor  th«y  had  tasted  since 
the  4th  of  July  1805,  just  previous  to  undertaking  the 
eastern  ascent  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

From  this  time  until  tlie  23d  of  September,  when 
they  arrived  safely  at  St.  Louis,  nothing  particular  oc- 
curred, unless  the  meeting  of  a  trading  company  com- 
missioned by  the  government,  to  make  enquiry  concer- 
aing  their  whereabouta,  be  considered  noteworty.  Their 


106 


LIFT.    AND    TIMES 


\  'm 


long  absence  bad  somewbat  disquieted  tbeir  friends  at 
borne;  and  tbe  government  were  about  taking  measures 
to  enquire  as  to  tbeir  welfare,  wben  very  opportunely, 
tbey  met  tbe  messengcrH,  and  in  tbe  most  satisfactory 
manner  relieved  tbem  of  all  disquietude.  On  arriving 
at  St.  Louis,  tben,  the  rendezvous  of  tbe  Indians  and  of 
tbe  bronzed  and  bearded  trappers  of  tbe  nortbwest,  for 
tbe  purpose  of  trade  and  procuring  supplies,  tboy  were 
of  course  tbe  lions  of  tbe  day.  Their  appearance,  tan- 
ned and  grizzled;  hair  and  beards  uncut,  unkempt;  at- 
tired in  leathern  suits  or  garments  of  skin,  and  adorn- 
ed with  Indian  ornaments,  was  sufficiently  outlandish 
to  excite  remark  even  in  that  theatre  of  outlandish  cos- 
tume; but  the  intelligent  account  they  could  give  of 
tbe  country  they  had  traversed,  tbe  superstitions  and 
exagerations  they  dispelled  in  regard  to  tbe  customs 
and  numbers  of  tbe  Indian  tribes,  tbe  specimens  tbey 
brought  home  with  them  of  tbe  animal  and  vegetable 
products  of  tbe  country,  gave  them  an  importance,  lea- 
ving out  of  the  question  their  official  character,  that  se- 
cpred  them  the  highest  respect.  Tbe  commanding  of- 
ficers bad  kept  Journals  of  tbe  details  of  the  expedition, 
which  were  published  at  great  expense  by  the  govern- 
ment, and  copies  presented  to  foreign  governments  as 
great  accessions  to  the  knowledge  of  mankind;  while 
the  more  intelligent  of  the  men  were  also  enjoined  to 
keep  &  record  of  events,  so  that  in  case  of  accident  tbe 
chances  of  an  authentic  account  of  tbe  expedition,  might 
be  increased.  A«:ting  upon  this  direction,  Mr.  Gass, 
kept  a  diary  of  events,  which  was  afterwards  arranged 
for  the  press  by  a  Mr.  David  McKeehan,  and  pnblisb- 
cd  at  Pittsburgh  in  1807.  From  this  work,  which  at 
the  publisher  informs  us,  was  but  very  slightly  altered, 


«J: 


m 


OF   PATRICK    f;A88. 


lo: 


friends  n( 
g  mcasure.H 
tportuncly, 
latisfactory 
•n  arrivin^r 
ians  and  of 
tliwest,  for 
,  thoy  were 
ranee,  tan- 
kcmpt;  at- 
ind  adorn - 
ontlandisli 
andisli  cos- 
Id   give  of 
titions  and 
he  customR 
mens   they 
1  vegetable 
rtancc,  Ica- 
er,  that  se- 
landing  of- 
jxpedition, 
he  govern - 
rnments  a.^ 
:ind;  whilo 
enjoined  to 
ceidont  the 
bion,  might 
Mr.  Gasa, 
8  arranged 
id  pnblish- 
:,  which  ai 
tly  alt^.red. 


^'ithc.'  in  verbiage  or  arrangement  from  the  original,  w« 
liavo  drawn  largely  in  the  preceding  pages,  culling  the 
loading  facts,  condensing  the  material  portions,  and  ad- 
ding incidents  and  reflections  on  subscfpient  occurren- 
ces, to  suit  the  taste  of  the  modern  and  desultory  rea- 
der of  such  travels.  The  original,  gives  evidence  of 
rlose  observation  and  of  much  shrewdness  of  reasoning, 
ft  is,  w^e  believe,  strictly  and  conscientiously  accurate, 
tor  contrary  to  the  received  aphorism  in  regard  to  trav- 
ellers tales,  we  have  never  perused  a  work  so  devoid  of 
tiie  imaginative  or  where  was  manifested  so  little  de- 
sire to  garnish  plain  prose  with  poetic  tinsel.  All  is 
plain  unpretending  matter  )f  fact,  just  such  notings  a« 
a  mathematician  might  make  in  a  scientific  traverse  of 
the  land.  We  see  the  adventurers  just  |as  they  were, 
and  with  rare  modesty,  the  author,  although  we  have 
authority  for  saying  that  he  was  one  of  the  most  useful, 
efficient  and  intelligent  men  of  the  party,  is  kept  strict- 
ly in  the  back  ground,  or  if  mentioned  at  all,  it  ^  only 
incidentally  and  in  connection  with  some  special  party 
of  which  he  was  a  member.  This  is  always  to  be  con- 
sidered a  characteristic  of  true  merit,  and  has  usnallr 
attached  to  those  men  wlio  have  most  distinguished 
themselves  for  sterling  qualities.  There  is  a  foppish- 
ness about  some  great  men  even  in  the  'article  of  mod- 
esty, which  shines  through  its  flimsy  disguise,  in  spile 
of  all  their  efforti;;  but  with  others,  there  is  a  real  nn- 
aflfected  naturalness  of  demeanor,  that  we  instinctively 
recognise  and  appreciate.  Cajsar,  in  his  commenta- 
ries is  a  sample  of  the  former;  while  Washington,  m 
his  whole  career  is  a  specimen  of  the  latter.  CaeMr, 
by  an  affected  translation  of  personalty,  transfered 
himself  into  the  third  person,  and  told  most  marvel- 


'1 


108 


LIFE    AND    TIME 9^ 


H 


lous  stories  in  a  plain  way,  of  which  he  is  always  the- 
hero,  in  vini,  vidi,  vici  style;  while  Washington  left 
his  history  to  posterity  and  was  scrupulously  exact  in 
all  his  official  narrations,  scarcely  seeming  to  regard 
Jiiinself  as  an  agent,  but  still  leaving  impressed  upon 
the  mind  of  the  reader,  the  conviction  that  he  is  the  mo- 
ving spirit.  We  do  not  wish  to  institute  a  compari- 
son betwe<3n  our  hero,  and  those  illustrious  characters; 
but  his  character  in  its  indomitable  will,  great  self  reli- 
ance, calm  courage  and  unaffected  modesty,  was  more  of 
the  ximerican  than  of  the  Roman  mould.  All  these 
characteristics  are  strikingly  apparent  in  his  career,  as 
sot  forth  in  the  unpretending  pages  of  his  Journal; 
and  in  his  subsequent  life,  he  followed  the  bent  of  the 
same   inclinations. 

•'  Remaining  at  St.  Louis  but  a  few  days  to  receive 
and  enjoy  their  honors,  and  the  hospitality  of  the  citi- 
zens, the  party  proceeded  east  to  make  report  and  ob- 
tain their  discharge.  Mr.  Gass,  travelled  by  land  to 
Vincennes,  Indiana,  and  awaited  there  the  arrival  of 
Messrs.  Lewis  and  Clarke,  who  followed  with  a  depu- 
tation of  Indians  from  the  plains,  among  them  a  chief 
named  Big  White,  whom  Mr.  Gass  calls  the  best  look- 
ing Indian  he  ever  saw,  which,  they  were  conducting 
to  Washington  City,  for  the  purpose  of  demonstrating 
to  them  by  observation  the  overwhelming  power  of  the 
United  States  and  the  uselessness  of  hostility  on  the 
part  of  the  Indian  tribes  in  case  of  any  dissatisfaction 
with  the  government  on  their  part.  The  lesson  was 
designed  to  teach  them  prudence,  and  as  the  wild  sons 
of  the  prairie,  journeying  through  the  land  of  the  pale- 
faces, dwelt  upon  their  cities  and  villages,  and  noted 
Uie  number  of  the  whites,  the  great  resources  of  the  ua- 


if 


always  the- 
lington  left 
3ly  exact  in 
;  to  regard 
essed  upon 
e  is  the  mo- 
a  compari- 
cbaracters; 
at  self  reli- 
vas  more  of 
All  these 
.8  career,  as 
is  Journal; 
)ent  of  the 

to  receive 
Df  the  citi- 
rt  and  ob- 
by  land  to 
arrival  of 
th  a  depu- 
em  a  chief 
best  look- 
onducting 
onstrating 
wer  of  the 
ity  on  the 
atisfaction 
esson  was 
wild  sons 
f  the  pale- 
md  noted 
of  the  ua- 


m 
m 


li 


1 

f 

Hj 

^ 

1 

I 
J 

OF    PATRICK    GABS. 


109 


tion  for  pcaoc  or  war,  and  looked  with  admiring  won- 
der upon  the  long  rows  of  stately  houses,  the  heaps  of 
glittering  goods,  the  public  ediiices,  fortifications  and 
shipping,  so  striking  to  their  unaccustomed  eyes,  the 
conviction  of  the  white  man's  power  forced  itself  upon 
their  minds,  mingled  with  prophetic  forewarning«  of  tlu^ 
red  man'y  fate.  Tlicy  looked  on  with  a  sullen  and 
stoic  indifference,  but  not  a  sight  or  a  motion  escaped 
their  gaze.  Their  observations,  doubtless,  have  had 
their  effect  in  determining  the  conduct  of  their  wild 
brethren  of  the  West. 

The  commanding  officers,  having  changed  their  route 
of  travel,  Mr.  Uass,  with  a  couple  of  companions,  pro- 
ceeded to  join  them  at  Louisville,  Kentucky.  Among 
the  Kentuckians,  they  were  received  Avith  the  highest 
honor,  citizens  of  all  classes  exerting  themselves  to  make 
their  sojourn  among  them  as  pleasant  as  possible. — 
Among  the  entertainments,  here,  in  their  hoior,  was  a 
grand  fancy  ball,  which  they  all  attended;  their  Indian 
companions  tricked  out  in  all  their  savage  finery,  with 
necklaces  of  white  bears  claws,  brilliant  brass  medals 
and  gorgeous  plumage  and  painting.  The  curiosity  of 
the  whites  was  excited  to  the  highest  pitch,  not  only  to 
sec  the  members  of  the  party  but  to  inspect  the  curiosi- 
ties they  carried  with  them  as  trophies.  Through  the 
vhole  route  they  were  the  objects  of  marked  attention; 
and  as  they  came  into  the  more  settled  portions  of  the 
states,  their  progress  almost  resembled  a  civic  triumph. 
It  may  be  said,  that  Lewis  <fe  Clark  united  the  Atlantic 
and  the  Pacific,  as  Cyrus  W.  Field,  did  continents,  in 
the  bonds  of  science;  and  the  latter  achievement  was 
not  accompanied  with  more  laudations  than  the  former. 
They  at  last  reached  the  Federal  City,  and  after  paying 


"i'l 


110 


MPK    AND   TTMES 


»'i 


,  I 


•i  ' 


i 


V^V?' 


thoir  icspocts  to  Proaident  Jefferson,  making  their  re- 
port to  the  proper  officials,  delivering  over  their  speci- 
mons  and  curiosities  they  were  discharged  with  a  vote 
of  thanks  and  a  worthy  acknowledgement  of  their  mer- 
itorious services. 

Mr.  Gass  received  his  pay  in  gold,  with  the  promise 
of  future  consideration  at  the  hands  of  the  countrv,  and 
set  about  enjoying  it  at  his  leisure;  and  during  the  next 
few  months  of  his  career,  we  have  no  information  of 
his  proceedings  except  that  ho  returned  to  his  friendi 
in  the  vicinity  of  Wellsburg,  and  spent  a  few  montlu 
in  comparative  inactivity. 

Of  the  subsequent  history  of  his  commanders,  Cap- 
tains Lewis  and  Clarke,  we  have  but  a  meagre  detail, 
and  still  loss  of  that  of  his  companions  in  the  ranks. — 
The  ofticers  were  both  men  of  more  than  ordinary  abil- 
ity and  qualifications,  and  afterwards  attained  to  very 
respectable  public  station.  Lewis  was  appointed  very 
shortly  after  his  return  in  1806,  Governor  of  Louisiana 
territory,  aij  some  acknowlodgement  of  his  merit,  and 
convpensation  for  his  services.  In  this  capacity  ho  ac- 
ted for  some  time,  but  unfortunately  a  misunderstand- 
ing arose  between  him  and  the  government  in  regard  to 
the  settlement  of  his  public  accounts.  Ho  was  the  very 
soul  of  honor  and  of  unimpeachable  integrity,  and  the 
implied  imputation,  dwelt  too  heavily  upon  his 
proud  and  sensitive  spirit.  He  started  to  Washington 
City  for  an  explanation,  but  never  reached  his  desti- 
nation. In  company  with  another  man  he  travelled  tho 
old  route  followed  by  the  boatmen  at  that  day,  through 
the  Indian  country;  and  having  reached  a  small  cabin 
occupied  by  a  man  named  Grinders,  as  a  kind  of  tavern 
for  travellers,  just  within  the  Chickasaw  uation»  neac 


OF   PATRICK    OARS. 


Ill 


rc- 


tlic  Tennessee  line,  and  between  twenty-five  and  thirty 
miles  of  Nashville,  hia  man  left  him  to  go  in  search  of 
a  horse  that  had  strayed.  During  his  absence  after  the 
horse,  Lewis  shot  himself  twice  with  a  pistol,  and  this 
failing  to  effect  his  purpoao,  he  killed  himself  by  cut- 
ting his  throat  with  a  knifo.  No  one  saw  him  com- 
mit the  act,  but  some  of  the  family  afterwards  reported 
that  they  bad  observed  indications  that  his  mind  was 
affoeted  on  the  morning  of  his  death.  His  body  was 
buried  at  the  corner  of  the  cabin,  and  for  a  long  time 
after,  the  spot  was  remembered  by  the  adventurous  tra- 
ilers who  passed  that  way,  between  New  Orleans  and 
the  upper  country. 

Thus  was  ushered  into  eternity  a  brave  and  chival- 
rous spirit,  goaded  to  desperation  by  the  chafing  of 
wounded  honor.  His  untimely  death  was  universally 
regretted.  Who  can  describe  the  poignant  anguish  that 
could  have  impelled  such  a  man  into  the  commission  of 
such  an  act — an  act  from  which  the  mind  recoils  with 
instinctive  horror.  Peace  be  to  his  memory.  The 
great  Arbiter  of  all  be  the  judge  of  his  motives,  as  Ho 
ulonc  must  be  the  dispenser  of  his  deserts  in  the  land  of 
the  dread  imknown,  into  which,  all  unannounced,  his 
own  rash  hand  ushered  his  living  soul.  It  is  enough 
fi)r  t^'.e  historian  to  say  that  he  died  with  the  cloud  up- 
<.'U  his  memory;  and  while  he  records  his  fate  w^ith  u 
careful  pen,  he  would  ask  of  the  world  its  most  chari- 
table judgment.  The  charges  against  him  were  hushed, 
communities  and  states  vied  to  do  him  honor,  and  the 
Legislature  of  Tennessee,  his  adopted  State,  to  mani- 
fest an  appreciation  of  what  was  high  and  noble  in  his 
character  and  services,  ordered  a  monument  to  be  cree- 
led to  his  memory  at  the  State's  expense. 


I  ft 


ri 


'1 


^'1 


■ 

■ 

w 

J; 

■■  ,i 

',■>'     • 

f;; 

1 

!    '  '■ 

• 

0    , 

112 


LIFE    IND    TIMES 


His  nssoeiato  Clarke,  received  tlio  title  of  General, 
ami  ill  1S13,  just  at  the  comincucomoiit  of  the  war,  re- 
roivod  an  appointment  an  (rovernor  of  Missouri  terri- 
tory and  SuporinttMident  of  Indian  alfairs,  an  oftice  of 
i^reat  responsibility  and  importance  in  view  of  the  im- 
pending war,  and  of  the  evinced  determination  of  the 
Dritish  (rovernment  to  array  aj^^ainst  us  the  horrors  of 
Indian  warfare.  His  selection  for  such  a  post  is  an  in- 
dubitable proof  of  his  standing.  Jte  continued  to  hold 
these  oflices  with  acceptability  throughout  the  war,  and 
until  the  admission  of  Missouri  as  a  State  in  1820. — 
In  1822,  he  was  again  appointed  Superintendant  of  In- 
dian affairs,  and  held  the  oflice  for  many  years  afterwards. 
In  the  mean  time  he  had  married,  and  had  his  resi- 
dence at  St.  Louis,  where  he  raised  a  family  and  died 
in  1838.  His  remains  were  followed  to  tlic  grave  by  an 
immense  concourse  of  citizens,  Ktrangera  and  Indians 
from  the  plains  and  mountains,  and  is  said  to  have  been 
the  largest  funeral  ever  witnessed  in  St.    Tjouis. 

The  results  of  Lewis  and  Clarke's  expedition  have  be- 
come matter  of  history:  their  contributions  to  science, 
having  now  been  merged  in  the  great  mass  of  the  intel- 
ligence of  the  country.  They  all  have  gone  to  their  last 
account  except  the  subject  of  our  memoir — who  yet  lin- 
gers, tough  and  gnarled  by  time,  on  the  verge  of  that 
great  wilderness  he  must  soon  in  the  order  of  things  be 
called  to  explore,  in  the  world  to  come.  If  the  forego- 
ing pages  shall  serve  to  stimulate  somo  one,  to  emulate 
his  patriotism  or  excite  one  generous  glow  of  admira- 
tion of  his  unselfish  character,  in  the  bosom  of  a  single 
reader;  of  his  untiring  zeal  in  the  discharge  of  duty,  his 
modest  deportment  under  all  eircuinstances,  or  of  his  in- 
domitable will,  the  object  of  the  writer  will  have  been  in 


d 


OF   PATRICK    GAflS. 


113 


tlit^t  much  ftttftincd.  Wo  nro  now  drawiu!^  to  tho  close 
oftho  most  importunt  om  in  liis  lifr,  ami  after  n  few 
desultory  remarks  upon  the  modern  aspeet  and  history 
of  tho  scene  of  his  travels,  wo  shall  pro9eod  to  narrate 
his  Rubsequent  career. 

Tho  route  traversed  hy^them,  has  never  boon  of  much 
practical  advantage  as  a  means  of  communication  be- 
tween the  Atlantic  and  Pacific,  being  too  far  to  the 
north,  and  much  more  available  passes  through  tho 
Mountaiiis  hav^'o  since  been  discovered;  but  their  success, 
detnonstratcd  the  practicabdity  of  a  passage  and  served 
to  stimulate  subsequent  explorers.  The  Rocky  Moun- 
tains since  their  time  have  lost  mucii  of  their  terror. — 
Tho  routo  travelled  by  the  emigrants  to  Cnlifornia  and 
Oregon,  by  way  of  the  Platte  and  Kansas  rivers,  Salt 
Lake  city,  I>ridger's  Fort  and  the  South  Pass  on  to  the 
waters  of  the  Sacramento  and  the  Columbia,  is  of  very 
gentle  ascent;  and  presents  no  greater  dilHculty  than  do 
somo  of  the  routes  over  tho  Allegheny  Mountains,  that 
arc  now  traversed  by  roads  and  railways.  Tho  South 
Pass,  so  much  used  by  those  omigrHuts  is  not  far  from 
tho  crossing  placo  of  Lewis  and  Clarke,  they  having 
just  missed  it  by  keeping  too  far  to  the  north.  Near  it, 
is  Fremonts  Peak,  PiOU  feet  in  height.  Tho  Pass  ac- 
tually discovered  by  them  is  barely  practicable  and  never 
used.  It  was  not  t.atil  the  discovery  of  gold  in  Cali- 
fornia thai  attention  v/as  directed,  in  earnest,  toward 
this  portion  of  the  world;  but  in  a  very  short  timo  after 
that  event,  tho  whole  region  was  thoroughly  explored. — 
Tho  voyage  by  sea  was  both  costly  and  dangflrous  and 
it  became  necessary  to  find  some  available  route  by  land. 
Private  enterprise  and  thirst  for  sudden  wealth  soon  ef- 
fected it;  the  wave  of  emigration  swooping  up   to   tho 


i    1 


i^^ 


114 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


baso  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  soon  found  its  level  and 
iollowing  up  the  vallies  and  gorges  of  the  mountains 
trickled  through  their  fastnesses  in  many  a  winding 
stream,  until  gradually  it  settled  into  the  well  defined 
channel  that  is  now  almost  as  well  known  and  as  well 
worn  as  is  any  thoroughfare   in    the  states. 

A  new  impetus  was  given  to  the  spirit  of  discovcr- 
ry  in  these  regions  on  the  developenicnt  of  the  magnifi- 
oent  scheme  of  the  Pacific  Rail-road.  The  merit  of  origi- 
nating this  idea,  is  generally  attributed  to  Mr.  Whit- 
ney, of  New  York,  who  in  1844,  lirst  definitely  broach- 
ed it  before  congress.  His  idea  was  to  connect  the  val- 
ley of  the  Mississippi  with  the  Sacramento,  the  Co- 
lumbia or  the  Colorado,  by  means  of  a  railroad  accord- 
ing as  the  most  available  route  might  be  found;  the  ex- 
pense of  making  the  road  to  be  defrayed  by  appropria- 
ting to  contractors  alternate  sections  of  the  public  lauds 
on  either  side  of  the  road.  The  plausibility  of  such  a 
scheme  may  be  seen  at  a  glanoc,  but  it  was  a  gigantic 
undertaking;  and  its  possibility  even,  had  not  yet  been 
reliably  demonstrated.  Hon.  Th  os.  IJ.  Benton,  early 
became  a  patron  of  the  project,  and  gradually  it  forced 
itself  upon  the  attention  of  Congress  and  the  public. — 
Whitney,  himself,  was  an  enthusiast  in  the  cause,  and 
just  at  that  period,  railroad  speculation  was  at  its  height 
throughout  all  the  States  of  the  Union.  Able  and  vo- 
luminous reports  and  speeches  were  made  on  the  subject 
of  the  feasibility  of  the  Pacific  Railroad — it  forced  itself 
inio  the  messages  of  the  l*rosidents — and  into  the  are- 
na of  politics,  and  apparently  the  dream  of  its  projector 
was  about  to  be  realized.  Foreign  capilalists  embraced 
the  scheme,  ami  promised  their  assistance  to  effect  its 
consumation.     The  brilliant  bcrvices  and  favorable  re- 


stfte-s^  -' 


OF    PATRICK    GAS3. 


115 


ports  of  Fremont,  who  was  engaged  during  1845  to 
1850  in  a  semi  oftlcial  capacity  in  exploring  the  country, 
contributed  to  heigliten  the  feeling  in  favor  of  the  road, 
and  demonstrate  its  practicability.  A  damper,  howev- 
er, was  put  upon  his  representations  in  the  winter  of 
1848-9.  Allured  by  the  tempting  openings  as  descried 
I'rora  a  distance  in  thu  Sierra  Nevadas,  lie  was  with  his 
party  caught  in  a  snow  storm  in  the  mounlains,  and 
"barely  escaped  with  his  own  life,  leaving  some  of  Ins 
comrades  and  all  his  animals  and  dfects  victims  to  tlio 
frost  and  snow  The  celebrated  Christopher  Carson, 
was  a  companion  and  guide  of  Fremont's  during  these 
explorations  and  by  his  indomitable  energy  and  great 
sagficity  rendered  himself  equally  conspicuous  with  his 
superior  in  command.  This  misfortune,  which  happen- 
ed to  the  south-west  of  the  great  Salt  Lake,  and  near 
the  line  of  travel  to  San  Francisco,  only  seemed,  how- 
ever, to  attract  attention  to  the  country.  The  Mormons, 
driven  from  their  homes  in  Illinois  and  Missouri 
about  this  tinus  were  founding  their  State  of  Descret; 
^vIth  Salt  Lake  City  for  a  capital  and  a  bee-hive  for 
their  coat  of  arms.  In  all  quarters  of  the  States  and  iu 
the  old  world,  I  hey  listened  to  the  voice  of  their  proph- 
et, and  pouring  into  their  new  found  city  of  rest,  ho[)ed 
to  build  up  there,  a  peculiar  nntion  sacred  from  gentil-) 
intrusion.  The  Mormon  settlement  at  Salt  Lake  City 
Idled  up  rapidly  with  the  deluded  followers  of  Brigham 
Young- -Grovernor,  by  the  grace  of  Millard  Filmorc; 
and  head  of  the  church  of  Mormon  by  direct  succession. 
Difficulties  after  a  while  arose,  however,  between  tlni 
Mormons  and  the  (Jentilos,  the  country  was  too  narrow 
for  both  to  live  in.  Mutual  bigotry,  begot  mutual  ha- 
tred; and  the  State  of  Deseret  threatened  to  set  up  an  in- 


IIG 


LIFE    A?iD   TIMES 


i 


ll'   r 


dependent  Sovereignty  in  the  Utah  country.  Popular 
clamor  in  the  States  demanded  that  this  presumption 
should  be  punished  and  curbed,  and  the  U.  S.  Govern- 
ment dispatched  a  formidable  force  under  Gen.  Harney 
to  ciiastise  them  if  need  be,  into  subjection — Pcrsifor 
V.  Smith,  commanding  the  Western  department.  In  the 
summer  of  1857,  tlie  army  took  up  its  line  of  march;  but 
as  thoy  approached  the  confines  of  Mormondom,  they 
wore  met  with  the  white  flag  of  peace,  and  though  the 
difliculty  is  not  yet  arranged,  it  is  not  probable  that  any 
serious  consequences  will  result  from  the  Mormon  war. 
The  settlement  at  Salt  Lake,  even  in  its  infancy,  was 
regarded  as  aneucleus,  or  rather  as  a  point  of  departure 
ior  tlioso  interested  in  the  Railroad  enterprise,  and  was 
liailod  as  a  fortunate  event,  being  about  equi-distant 
from  the  two  extremities  of  the  road,  and  near  what 
was  supposed  to  be  the  most  eligible  line.  The  ques- 
tion of  a  route,  however,  was  yet  in  the  dark,  and 
l)romised  to  be  the  rock  upon  which  the  entire  enter- 
prise would  split,  unless  managed  with  great  prudence 
and  circumspection.  It  Avas  determined  to  have  all 
such  questions  detinitely  settled  by  authority.  Accor- 
dingly on  the  3rd.  March,  1853,  Congress  ordered  to 
be  made  a  series  of  explorations  for  the  purpose  of  as- 
certaining the  best  and  most  economical  route  for  such 
a  railroad  as  was  contemplated.  The  U.  S.  Topograph- 
ical cov[)S  was  called  upon,  and  ditferent  surveying  com- 
panies organized  under  command  of  Captain  Pope,  Cap- 
tain Gunnison,  Lieut.  Whipple,  Lieut.  Lar  Nr,  and 
others  to  the  number  of  some  half  dozen,  and  put  upon 
the  duty  of  a  thorough  and  complete  exploration.  Belts 
of  country,  200  miles  in  width,  extending  across  the 
continent  were  assigned  to  each  party,  and   all    entered 


OF   PATRICK    GA8S. 


117 


npon  duty  nearly  at  the  same  time.  Tlie  result  of  their 
labors  was  a  most  complete  and  thorough  rojjort 
not  only  as  to  the  topography;  out  the  geology  and 
botany  of  the  country,  together  with  minute  descriptions 
of  the  animals  and  insects;  and  a  complcle  classilication 
as  far  as  practicable,  of  the  Indian  tribes.  Their  report 
was  published  by  authority  of  Congress  and  is  a  valu- 
able addition  to  the  literature  of  the  country.  Tlicir 
explorations  demonstrated  ^thc  fact,  that  by  more  than 
one  route  it  was  practicable  to  construct  railroads 
between  the  bounds  designated  in  their  instructions. — 
Gunnison's  expedition  which  appears  to  have  been  suc- 
cessful in  discovering  the  most  eligible  route,  started 
from  Fort  Leavenworth  in  Kansas  territory,  in  May 
1853,  lollowed  the  Missouri  to  the  mouth  of  the  Kan- 
sas and  ascended  it  for  a  considerable  distance  along  the 
usually  travelled  route  of  the  Santa  Fo  traders,  when  it 
struck  off  in  a  South-west  direction,  their  destination  be- 
ing the  Huerfano  river,  in  latitude  about  38  dcg.  They 
passed  through  a  country,  hitherto  almost  unknown  to 
the  whites;  inhabited  by  numerous  Indians,  prominent 
among  whom  were  the  Pah  Utahs.  On  the  Sevier  ri- 
ver, about  150  miles  from  Salt  Lake  city,  their  camp 
was,  on  the  25th.  October,  1853,  surprised  about  day- 
break by  a  band  of  these  Indians,  and  Captain  Gunni- 
son, and  nearly  his  whole  party  massacred,  before  they 
could  make  resistance.  The  Mormons,  were  charged; 
but  says  the  record  of  the  expedition,  unjustly,  with  in- 
citing the  massacre  and  through  the  exertions  of  Gov- 
ernor Brigham  Young,  the  papers,  instruments  and 
some  of  the  horses  were  recovered  from  the  Indians,  and. 
a  head  chief  of  the  Pah  Utahs,  explained  by  saying 
that  the  murder  was  committed  by  some  of  the  boys  of. 


-I 


( 


1 '■         ■! 


1  ■    '    i 


.^4 


U^    ■■  4li 


mmmmmim 


118 


LIFE    AND   TIMKS 


£•..:    t 


1' 


the  tribo  in  revenge  for  some  of  their  friends,  whom  they 
supposed  had  been  killed  by  this  party.  lie  also,  depre- 
cated the  vengeance  of  the  whites,  and  promised  to  de- 
liver  up  the  murderers.  The  route  by  the  Huerfano, 
liad  at  this  time  been  pronounced  impracticable,  being 
at.  the  Pass  of  St.  Luis,  the  dividing  ridge  between  the 
Huerfano  and  the  Rio  Grande,  9,772  feet  above  the  lev- 
el of  the  sea,  and  the  ascent  being  1,116  feet  in  two 
and  three  quarter  miles;  but  Captain  Fj.  ().  Bcckwith, 
having  taken  command  of  the  expedition  and  reinforced 
thesame;  in  a  short  time  afterwards,  near  the  Sierra  San 
Juan  they  discovered  a  pass  some  2000  feet  lower, 
which  was  pronounced  easily  practicable.  The  waters 
of  the  Rio  Grande  del  Norte,  on  the  east,  and  those 
of  the  Rio  Grande  of  the  west,  a  branch  of  the  western 
Colorado  here  interlock,  not  very  far  from  Pike's  Peak; 
the  latter  flowing  into  the  Gulf  of  California,  the  form- 
er into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

Routes  examined  by  other  Engineers  were  pronoun- 
ced more  or  less  feasible;  but  this  seems  to  have  been 
the  most  practicable.  The  nearest  approach  to  the 
old  route  of  Lewis  and  Clarke,  was  one  made  by  Mr. 
Landor,  which  follows  the  Missouri  nearly  to  its  north- 
ern bend,  crosses  the  mountain  at  Bridger's  Pass,  and 
then  branches;  one  down  the  Sacramento  to  San  Fran- 
cisco, the  other  toward  Puget's  Sound  by  way  of  Lewis 
river,  &c.  This,  [is  considered  one  of  the  best  routes 
discovered,  except  the  common  objection  of  extreme 
cold.  It  is  claimed  however,  that  owing  to  peculiar  cir- 
©umstances,  the  passage  of  the  mountains  can  be  ef- 
fected with  less  exposure  to  extreme  cold,  than  by  the 
more  Southern  routes.  The  expedition  of  Lewis  and 
Clarke,  did  not  experi  nee  any  very  extremely  cold 


i  I 


OF    PATRICK    OAS8. 


IVJ 


weather  in  this  portion  of  their  wanderings;  though 
they  experienced  tnucli  inconvenience  from  tlio  snow, 
and  from  utter  ignorance  of  the  country,  Lewis 
and  Clarke  were  forced  to  depend  upon  their  own  sa- 
gacity and  to  find  th^ir  way  almost  unassisted  through 
the  trackless  wildcrnoss.  As  a  matter  of  curiosity  and 
reference  we  here  insert  from  the  Journal  of  Mr.  (iass, 
'A  memorandum  of  the  computed  distance  in  miles  to 
the  furthest  point  of  discovery  on  the  Pacific  ocean, 
from  the  place  where  the  canoes  were  deposited  near  the 
head  of  the  Missouri,  which  from  its  mouth  is, 

IN  miles:  3096 

From  place  of  deposit  to  head  spring,  -  -  24 
To  first  fork  of  the  Sho-sho-ne  river,  -         -     14 

To  first  large  fork  down  the  river,  -  -  -  18 
To  forks  of  the  road  at  the  mouth  of  Tour  creek,  14 
To  fishing  creek,  after  leaving  the  river,  -  -  23 
To  Flathead,  or  Clarke's  river  at  Fish  camp,  -  41 
To  the  mouth  of  Travellers-rest  creek,  -  -  70 
To  the  foot  of  the  great  range  of  Mountains  east  side,  12 

west  side,  130 

-  3 

-  18 

-  6 

-  00 
140 
162 

6 
3 
3 

23 

42 
6 

26 
136 

13 
3 


'I' 


To 


To  the  Flathead  village  in  a  plain, 

To  the  Koos-koos-ke  river,         -         -         - 

To  the  Canoe  camp,  at  the  forks, 

To  the  Ki-moo-ee-nem,       -         -         -         . 

To  the  Great  Columbia,  by  Lewis'  river,     - 

To  the  mouth  of  the  Sho-sho-ne,  or  Snake  river. 

To  the  Great  Falls  of  Columbia, 

To  the  Short  Narrows,      -         -         .         . 

To  the  Long  Narrows,       -         -         -         . 

To  the  mouth  of  Catarack  river,  north  side. 

To  the  Grand  Shoot,  or  Rapids, 

To  the  Last  Rapids,  or  Strawberry  Island, 

To  the  mouth  of  Quicksand  river,  south  side, 

To  Shallow  Bay  at  salt  water,     - 

To  Blustry  Point  on  North  side, 

To  Point  Open-slope,  below  encampment,  - 


:j 


i. 


\   a 


I'M 

In! 


■m 


M 


111 
i  1  ►  I 


ii  ■ 


1 

1 

1 

1 

120 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


To  Chin-0©k  river  at  bottom  of  Haley's  Bay, 
To  Cape  Disappointment  on  Western  ocean, 
To  Capt.  Clarke's  tour  X.  W.  along  coast, 


12 

l;j 

10 


Total  minaber  of  miles,         -         -         -         4133 

These  distances  arc  of  course  only  approximate,  and 
not  many  of  the  names  can  be  found  on  modern  maps; 
yet  they  give  an  idea  of  the  route  traversed,  that  may 
bo  useful  to  understand  properly  the  difficulties  encoun- 
tered. It  is  only  marvellous  that  they  made  their  es- 
cape at  all,  from  the  labyrinth  of  mountains  and  rivers 
in  which  they  found  themselves.  Tlio  journals  of  late 
explorers,  do  not  vary  materially  in  the  main  features 
of  their  descriptions,  from  their  accounts.  It  is  appa- 
rent from  the  comparison,  that  forty  years  experience 
has  not  improved  cither  the  manners  or  the  morals  of 
tho  natives.  On  the  contrary,  they  have  not  only  bo- 
come  more  immoral  among  themselves,  but  more  dispo- 
sed to  be  hostile  toward  the  whites.  Unprincipled  white 
men  have  corrupted  their  morals,  furnished  them  [with 
whiskey,  and  rendered  nugatory  the  well -meant  endeav- 
ors of  tho  U.  S.  (jovernmen',  to  ameliorate  their  con- 
dition. Of  late  years,  the  government  has  engaged 
zealously  in  the  task  of  elevating  them  in  the  scale  of 
civilization,  and  from  the  published  reports  of  its  agents, 
tho  effort  has  been  attended  with  some  success.  Lieut. 
Whipple  divides  the  W^estern  Indians  into  three-  clas- 
ses:— the  semi  civilized,  the  rude,  and  the  barbarous.. 
The  first,  comprise  those  who  have  been  removed  from 
the  east  of  the  Mississippi,  such  as  the 

Choctaws,      -  -  -  -         15,000 

Chicasaws,     -  -  -  -  4,000 

Cherokees,     -  -  -  -         17,000 

Creeks  and  Seminoleis,.  -  -        24,000' 


^wjf- 


OF    PATRICK    GASS. 


121 


3ir  con- 


Qaai)aws.  ....         o,jo 

81mwneos,  -  -  -  -         300 

Dehiwarcs,  ....         *2[^0 

making  an  ag,i,'i'cgato  of  G2, 000  pertfoiis,  i)eacofiil  in  tlioir 
(ILspositiou  anil  dopending  upon  ag'ricultiiro  alone.  'J'liov 
are  cliaractcrized  by  docility  and  have  a  desire  to  learn 
and  practice  the  manners,  language  and  customs  of  the 
■whites.  The  labors  of  missionaries  among  them,  have 
been  crowned  with  success  and  there  appears  to  be  no 
obstacle  in  the  way,  to  prevent  their  complete  civiliza- 
tion. The  Shawnees  and  Delawares  of  this  region  do 
not  participate  in  the  favors  bestowed  upon  the  more 
northerly  bands  of  these  tribe>';  and  therefore  com- 
plain that  the  Cioverninent  overlooks  their  interests;  as 
it  bestows  upon  fhcm  ne'ther  annuities  as  to  Choct#ws, 
nur  presents,  such  as  are  distributed  among  the  wild 
tribes  of  the  prairies.  They  evidently  have  an  idea 
that  the  latter  are  given  to  the  wild  Indians  as  a  kind 
of  trii)ute,  for  fear  of  their  depredations,  and  naturally 
murmur  that  thov,  who  have  alwavs  been  friendlv  to 
the  whites,  should  receive  no  assistance  from  them. 

"Among  those  characterized  as  rude,  mav  be  enum- 
crated  the  following,  living  in  the  Creek  and  (Tioctaw 
territories: 

Toprofki«s,      -  -  -.  «  200 

Kichais,  -  -  -  -  T^OO 

Kickapoos,       -  -  -  -  400 

Caddoes,  -  -  -  -  100 

Huecos,  -  -  •  -  400 

Witchitas,       .  .  .  .  r)()0 

These  remnants  of  tribes  have  much  intercourse  with, 
and  are  supposed  to  be  considerably  inlluenccd  by  the 
8emi-civilized  class  above  alluded  to.  They  cultivate 
the  toil   to  some  extent,  but  still  retain  many  of  their 


■El 


\k 


122 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


■^^  '  I 


i    ■?■ 


old  habits,  are  fond  of  a  roving  life,  and  commit  occa- 
sional depredations  upon  their  neighbors. 

The  third  class,  denominated  barbarous,  are  the  Arabs 
of  the  plains,  and  the  scourge  of  emigrants.  According 
to  the  best  information,  their  names  and  ii ambers  are 
ai  follows: 

Camanches,  -  -  -  20,000 

Kaiowas,    -  -  -  -  3,50O 

Lipans,       .  .  -  .  6,500 

amounting  to  about  30,000  persons,  one  fifth  of  whom 
are  supposed  to  be  warriors.  They  are  perfect  types  of 
the  American  Savage  and  fully  as  barbarous  as  when 
first  known  to  the  Spaniards,  centuries  ago.  They 
appear  to  be  utterly  irreclaimable  either  by  kindness  or 
force.  From  the  earliest  discovery  of  these  tribes  in  the 
sixteenth  century,  they  have  preserved  the  same  gen- 
eral character,  that  of  an  unconquerable  indisposition  to 
affiliate  with  the  whites  or  in  any  manner  to  adopt  their 
manners,  customs  or  languages.  A  cpirit  of  wild  in- 
dependence seems  to  possess  them.  They  delight  in  ra- 
pine and  make  frequent  incursions  into  the  settlements 
of  New  Mexico,  and  are  regarded  by  the  more  timid 
half  breeds  and  Mexican  Indians  with  the  greatest  fear. 
The  appearance  of  a  small  band  of  Camanches,  is  suffi- 
cient to  depopulate  a  whole  village  of  these  latter,  and 
though  they  are  somewhat  wary  in  their  collisions  with 
the  more  energetic  and  warlike  Texans,  they  not  un- 
frequently  make  a  foray  upon  the  villages  of  that  state 
and  are  off  to  their  mountain  fastnesses  before  pursuit 
can  be  hardly  commenced  They  have  a  wholesome  re- 
spect however,  for  the  Americanos  of  the  North,  which 
keeps  them  in  some  restraint. 

The  Kaiowas  are  kindred  to  the  Camanches;  [and 


m 


OF    PATRICK    (iASS. 


128 


>)oth  arc  said  to  be  brandies  of  the  Snake  tribe,  as  is 
judged  from  their  language  and  customs*.  The  Lipans 
belong  to  the  same  general  family,  and  are  very  niimer- 
uus.  Hunting  and  war  are  the  favorite  pursuits  of  tliese 
people.  Agriculture  is  esteemed  a  degradation,  from 
which  their  proud  nature  revolts,  their  dependence  be- 
ing upon  game  and  depredations  upon  frontier  settle- 
ments. So  haughty  is  their  spirit  and  so  great  their 
contempt  for  white  men,  that  it  is  doubtful  whether 
they  Avill  ever  be  induced  to  accept  civilization  and  a  lo- 
cal habitation;  instead  of  the  unrestrained  freedom  of 
their  wild  and  savage  life. 

South  and  west  of  the  Camanches,  we  come  into  the 
country  of  the  Apaches,  a  people  represented  as  mort; 
untamable  ev«Q  than  the  Camanches,  to  whom  they  al- 
so appear  to  be  related.  They  cover  a  wide  territory, 
and  embrace  some  ten  tribes,  each  of  which  governs  it- 
self independently;  but  recognizes  a  general  bond  of  un- 
ion. All  tliese  tribes  acknowledge  some  sort  of  author- 
ity in  the  Spanish  governors  of  New  Mexico.  The  Na- 
vajos,  the  most  northern  of  the  Apache  tribes,  arc 
more  given  to  settled  habits  than  any  of  theiv  congen- 
ers, and  possess  considerable  flocks  and  herds.  Tliey 
are  said  to  number  about  8000  souls. 

Both  the  Camanches  and  the  Apaches  are  terrors  to 
the  more  timid  Indians  and  half  breeds  of  New  Mexico, 
and  relying  upon  the  terror  with  which  they  know 
themselves  to  be  invested,  they  levy  regular  contribu- 
tions upon  their  more  indolent  neighbors  of  the  villages 
and  haciendas.  Swooping  down  from  their  hills  they 
spread  terror  a''-d  destruction  in  their  paths.  They 
are  all  expert  horsemen,  and  though  cruel,  unscrupu- 
lous and  bloodthirsty,  are  yet,  not  remarkably  couragc- 


124 


LIFE    AND    TIMRri 


oils,  notwitlistamliiiL,'-  their  A'ain-filorv  and  terrible  rop- 
iitation.  They  can  be  controlled  by  aj* pealing  to  tlicir 
iears  and  obtaining'  their  respect  by  tlic  certain  convic- 
tion that  depreihitions  can  ami  will  be  avenu^ed.  Since 
tho  establishment  of  American  militarv  iiost-s  in  Xcw 
Mexico,  the}'  have  become  lunch  more  traetable,  Jli 
battl(!  they  are  no  matcb  for  the  Texas  rnnu'ors;  a  squad 
of  Avhoni,  will  pnt  ten  times'  their  nnmbor  of  smdi  In- 
tliaiis'  to  flight.  They  genei'ally,  in  such  cases,  depend 
mnch  more  njion  s(rata,L;'em  than  on  valor.  They  are, 
moreover,  considered  faithless  to  their  treaty  obliga- 
tions, when  comi)elled  to  treat;  and  on  tho  whole,  arc 
troublesome  and  very  disagreeable  neighbors. 

]>esides  these  more  prominent  Indian  tribes,  inhabit- 
ing tbe  vallies  of  the  llio  Grande,  the  ^olonado  and  the 
(jrila;  there  are  numcrons  other  minor  tribes,  with  the 
same  general  characteristics,  and  of  the  same  deriva- 
tion, whose  manners,  customs,  language  and  general 
characters  have  been  ascertained  and  described,  but  for 
which  we  have  no  space. 

One  thing  is  apparent.  Either  the  ancient  Spanish 
travellers — Fathers  Marco  and  Ruyz,  Captains  Alancon 
and  Colonado,  and  others, — who  wrote  about  the  coun- 
try of  the  Rio  G  rande  as  early  as  1540,  were  very  great 
romancers;  or  else,  there  have  boon  exceedingly  great 
changes  wrought  in  the  aspect  of  the  country,  and  the 
character  of  its  population,  since  their  day.  These  wri- 
ters all  agree  in  their  descriptions  of  an  advanced  state 
of  civilization  existing  throughout  this  region;  and  in 
the  country  of  Sevola  or  Cibola,  they  speak  of  having 
seen  lofty  houses  built  of  stone,  the  people  wearing 
dresses  made  of  cotton,  and  living  under  good  laws  and 
regulations,  that  were  as  vrell  obserred  as  in  civilized 


or  rATi'jrK  oass. 


125 


•vonntrios';  nml  as  boini::  very  lunnorons' — in  one  prov- 
ince, alone,  the  ])oj)nlatiou  lioinL?  40,01)0  so".h^.  There 
arenianv  indicatiitiis  existini?,  of  a  state  of  civilization 
much  more  advanced  than  the  presont,  havincj  once  pre- 
vailed throuL;hout  the  rejj;ion  in  ([nestion;  but  nonc^  to 
warrant  any  .such  representations  us  arc  made?  l>y  these 
travellers.  'I'iie  country  has  cvidcnfiy  Ixon  once  mucli 
more  thickly  settled,  as  ap])ears  from  the  nunierous  ru- 
ins, from  these  accounts,  and  from  the  traditions  of  tlu^ 
Indians  themselves.  It  presents  the  rather  singidar  ap- 
pearance of  a  people  in  a  state  of  active  deterioration, 
from  causes  inhercntamong  themselves;  anil  at  the  same 
rate  of  diminution  as  has  apparently  prevailed  amonir 
them  since  their  iirst  discovery,  tlu;  present  tribes  will 
wear  themselves  out  in  a  very  few  generations.  I'he 
city  of  Zuni,  is  a  type  of  these  ancient  cities  of  Cibola, 
several  of  which  still  actuallv  exist,  in  ruins. 

The  Zuni  district  is  situated  between  -I'l  and  o-")  deg. 
of  north  latitude  and  of  longitude  lOS  and  llo;  and  the 
vity  of  tlie  same  name,  is  built  up  Avith  long  ranges  of 
stone  walls  with  an  occasional  opening  near  the  top,  for 
look  out  purposes.  Entrance  and  egress  is  by  means 
of  ladtlers.     It  is  still  sparsely  inhaldtod. 

West  from  th<>  Navajos,  and  in  a  fork  between  the 
little  and  the  big  Colorado,  lies  the  country  of  the  Mo- 
([uinas,  a  people  finnous  in  Spanish  history,  as  well 
•for  their  devotion  to  lilierty  and  successful  valor  in  re- 
sisting foreign  aggressions,  as  for  their  hospitality,  in- 
tegrity of  character,  and  attention  to  agriculture.  In 
many  respects  they  assimilate  to  the  people  of  Zuni, 
with  whom  they  ever  maintain  friendly  relations.  The 
total  poi)ulation  of  the  ^Nloquinas  is  given  at  about  7000 
and  the  tribe   is   spoken  of  as  exceeding  most  of  their 


^  1 


i    ; 


m 


n 


'.  ■«';-  ft 

m 


120 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


l!  ti' 


^* 


neighbors  in  j^iood  quulitios  and  energy  of  ehuracter 
To  the  nortli  of  the  country  inhabited  by  those  tribes, 
is  located  tiio  country  of  the  Utahs,  which  is  also  a  ge- 
neric name,  including  several  minor  branches  or  tribes, 
acknowledging  a  common  authority.  The  Pai-utes,  or 
Pah-lltahs,  of  the  vicinity  of  Great  Salt  Lake,  are  the 
most  prominent  among  these  tribes;  and  may  bo  con 
fiidered  types  for  all  of  them.  This  tribe,  however,  it 
is  said,  does  not  number  over  300  individuals,  extreme- 
ly vicious  and  very  much  disposed  to  bo  troublesome. 
The  total  number  of  Indians  living  south  of  the  Salt 
Lake  route  to  California,  and  north  of  the  present  Mex- 
ican line,  is  estimated  by  Lieut.  Whipple  at  144,000; 
other  authorities  raako  it  more  or  less,  but  this  may  be 
considered  as  approximating  to  the  truth.  Efforts  have 
been  made  to  systematize  the  languages  of  these  Indi- 
ans, and  to  trace  some  connection  between  the  different 
families  and  tribes  that  are  scattered  over  the  vast  area; 
but  all  such  attempts  are  rather  fanciful  than  valuable, 
and  the  surmises  made,  are  much  more  curious  than  re- 
liable. The  Indians  on  the  Colorado,  are  generally  pro- 
nounced superior  in  all  manly  qualities,  to  those  of  any 
others  in  this  section  of  the  continent,  and  the  Moquin- 
as  and  Mojaves  are  especially  complimented  for  their 
bravery,  generosity,  and  kindl^/^  dispositions. 

All  these  Indians  have  religious  traditions  and  cus- 
toms, more  or  less  distinctly  uefined.  The  wilder  the 
Indian — the  less  he  has  seen  of  white  men — the  more 
implicit,  it  is  said,  is  his  trust  in  the  invisible  Deity. 
From  their  unity  of  faith  and  similarity  of  modes  of 
worship,  Chisholm,  an  intelligent  trader  who  resided 
many  years  among  them,  infers  that  the  different  tribes 
liave  all  the  same  origin.     The  grand  tenets  of  their  b«- 


OP    PATRICK    OAB8. 


127 


lief  arc  few,  and  very  Nimple.  They  arc:  First — The 
existence  of  one  Great  Spirit.  Second — A  belief  in  fu- 
ttire  rewards,  but  not  in  future  punishments.  They  have 
no  idea  of  a  liell,  except  what  they  have  derived  from 
tlie  whites,  ])elieving  that  the  wicked  receive  their  de- 
serts in  this  worhl,  in  sickness,  poverty,  war  and  death. 
Their  modes  of  manifesting  their  belief  are  various,  al- 
though there  is  much  similarity  among  them,  even  in 
this  res])ect.  The  Creeka  worshipped  fire,  u:^  the  rcp- 
rosentutive  of  purity  and  Deity,  the  (Jherokees,  and  ma- 
ny other  tribes  had  similar  notions  in  regard  to  this  el- 
ement. The  priestly  office  was  widely  recognized  among 
all  the  tribes  in  the  conjurations  of  tlio  medicine  man, 
and  in  some  triltes,  particular  families  were  set  apart 
and  consecrated  to  the  priesthood.  They  practice  bap- 
tism and  offer  burnt  sacrifices  by  way  of  thanksgiving 
or  invocation.  The  number  seven  has  a  peculiar  signifi- 
cance among  many  of  the  tribes;  and  indeed  the  points 
of  contact  in  their  beliefs  and  superstitions  are  so  many 
and  so  decided,  that  the  reader  is  irresistably  forced, 
not  only  to  the  conviction  that  they  are  of  a  common 
stock,  but  that  their  beliefs  have  some  connection  with 
Mosaic  revelation. 

The  Pueblos  Indiana,  say  there  is  but  one  God  and 
that  Montezuma,  a  name  of  great  repute  among  them,  is 
his  equal.  Inferior  to  both  is  the  sun,  to  whom  they 
pray,  because  he  looks  upon  them,  knows  their  wants, 
and  answers  their  prayers.  The  moon  is  younger  sister 
to  the  sun  and  the  stars  are  their  children.  Besides 
these,  there  is  the  Great  Snake,  to  whom,  by  order  of 
Montezuma,  they  are  to  look  for  life.  These  Indians, 
although  nominally,  professing  Catholics,  have  in  reali- 
ty, little  regard  for  the  Catholic  religion.   In  secret  they 


.^:  I 


f 


I: 


1 


:m 


I'J>^ 


HIT     AND     riMKf* 


m 


gt<M"v  i»i  lovjihy  l«>  Monle^.mnti.  Tln'v  on(l<M\v<ii'  l(i 
l\0(^)>  llhMr  Spjunsli  iM'igliltors  igiionnil  nl' ihcii*  ri'r«MMi« 
uios;  l)u(  llicy  s}»y,  lluil.  AtncrifniiM  two  IhoIIkmh  of  tli«' 
rhililrcn  t>r  MoiUo/.uinji,  tuul  iUo'w  iVicnd^;  1  lii'it'lurc. 
ihoy  hitlo  notliinjv  iVoin  llioui.  "Hcm'Mdi."  hhvm  onr 
!ni(h(>v,  "<ho  mult  iplicily  oT  <  nuls,  I  licsc  i  lulidtiM  Iimvp  a 
liimlMith  in  (l\o  Dcily,  <lu' iinNOcn  Spiiil  nriiooil,  His 
u.'nuc  i.s  above  ill!  lliin!;s  sacu'd.  Mud.  liKi-  .IcIka  mIi  <»! 
l!).(»  .ItMvs.  too  l)(dy  (<>  he  s|):iK(>n."  Tlio  Ap.'U'lii's  Irom 
supovslitious  roivsons,  will  not  Kill  or  cMt  l-cjiis,  Hiitl 
fhoy  hiivo  been  known  (o  |■^'^n^.('  |ioiK.  (mcii  w  Ikmi  siil" 
fcrin,!:^  from  hunf^er  nnd  when  nny  l<>ss(|n<'slionulil«' I'ooil. 
how(^v«M'  rovohinn' in  (\(h«M' r(>s|)('i>(s,  wonM  lia\<'  Imm'ii 
<\VSs<Mly  (\'\((Mi. 

As  a  v;'onov;il  nile  i(  n»ay  Ixi  sliilcd  llinl  tin-  fMrflicr 
Tiovdi,  ;i!hM'  l(\'iving  .'U)  (lognnv*  nordi  lalihhlc.  wchav- 
«'],  tli(<  move  tho  hnlinn  cliaiacliM-  (loli'iloijiic...  until 
it  dwindles  into  tJK^  l'!s(juiniaux  of  ( Jieenliind  imd 
tlie  Tolar  ro^ions.  'I'lu'  Indians  of  (in>  l'p|"'f  Miss- 
ouri jind  (lie  ('(dundiia,  »Mirount<M'v>d  by  Lewis  an<l 
<^larko's  oxjHMliiion  W(Me  giMievaliy  inieiior  in  hotly  jmd 


m 


iinl  to  those  lartlier  to  ihe  S(nitli.  S(une  .ifwli 


<ise  eliai 


;ietonsth\-  we  have  heengivin; 


In  the  main  lealnres, 


it  is  true,  tlieve  is  a  deeided  similarity,    sullieient  to  in 


J  > 


t*! 


dieato  a  oonunou  <Mit;in;  hut  there  is  hieking  in  the  more 
northern  Iiulians,  the  spirit  of  ontorpriso,  ol'  energy  an<l 
sprightlinoss  of  intcHeot,  that  pertains  to  their  more 
sout^'ern  neighbons;  and  whieh  ii;  old  times  eulmina- 
ted  in  the  semi-eivilizod  eomiHuni(ies  of  aneient  Mex- 
ioo.  Whet^HM',  as  th'3y  journeyed  South  into  the  more 
generous  oliuuite  and  t-oil  of  Mexieo,  the  character  of 
the  aborigines  was  improved  by  natural  causes,  until 
they  became  builders  of  citiot?,  instead  of  wanderers  on 


<i|r    I'VrilH'K      (f.AHH. 


ill''  itliviiiM:  Of  wild  I  If '!•  ill  lli"ir  'wtiii  l)('i  II  IT 


li.-f 


icrf'f 


savii}j:(;M  <• 


I' lliM  ihmI.Ii,  iik'I,  ut  iIm'  < 'i>l(>nii|<»  iiii")  tin-    |{i'> 


<«niinl<",  flid  iHoin  )',fiill(>  A/,trcM,  ini'l  liir'niliiif.'^  with 
t li'Mii  loi'iii'''!  11  l<'HM  |M(lislir(l,  lull  II.  iiion!  vii^oroim  rare, 
is  ^.rroini'l  lor  n  IImmuv.  Ililli'M',  nl  Icfid.  Inoku  |iJHtiKi- 
hlc.  TIk'  ^nnii'l  (jih'hH'Mi  liiiwcvfi ,  i^  iinl,  wlifiiff  rjirrn' 
lli(>  linliiitiM;  Imlwliil  li'T  r,M  I  li 'v  .'  Siiicd  tin-  ijiri''  nl' 
Mill- (>\|KMliti(;",  wlii -ik'-y,  I  lin  h.iiifil!  [m>\  uimI  the  cIimI- 
(Ma,  lmv(M'nv;i'.';<'i|  I  In- iiiiiucroirH  liln'-i  |iM>;si'r|  j,y  thcni 
nil  tlioir  rniitc,  iiiil.il  .^nnip  ul'  the  mo, I.  iitniici  oiih  liaiitl-f 
iiiivd  I)('(!(tim5  jiliiiosf,  cxliml.  'I  hi*  is  tli<"  history  of 
tlit'ir  iViciuls  (lie  MdiiiLiiiK,  who  .'in!  now  ic|iort"«l  n-i 
iiiiml)(M'iii/^oiily  'JoO  koiiIh;  uh  it,  i.s,  iiini<"  or  Ichk,  u\'  cvory 


til  he  Wl 


th  wl 


loiii  I  III',  wliilo  imiii  coiiii'M  III  contact. 


(I 


The  ItickoiccK,  Siialo'H,  ronclifiH,  <  «roKV*fn»rf'.s  ari'l 
licf  trihi's  lliat  wc'i"!  r('|)r<!K(!?i(«'il  in  iSd.)  uh  to|riral>ly 
jimiK'i'oiis  nnd  jtowfiTiil,  liuvd  dwiii'lh"!  imhrthcir 
nmnlxTM  luivo  liccoinc  a/'hifiHy  iiiHi^iiififaiit;  wliil.- 
even  llu!  lariri!  ainl  |)owc(riil  lainily  of  the,  Sioux,  at 
lliiit  ihiy  the  iiiof-t  I'oniiidahii'  hnlijitiH  almost,  krunvn 
Ti])()ii  tli(!  [)hiinf-i,  liavo  falh'ii  (»h  in  jiuiuhotH  itrifil  now, 


il 


i(.:y 


Hcarc* 


ly 


loast,  a  .'•hadow  ofth'-ir  aii(;i(;nt    r<'nowri. 


It 


nil 


ay  h(!  gfalilyin.!^'  to  know  that,  iheKO  oarly  ftcfjiiftin 


tancoH  of  our  travoll<;r,s,  liavo  kIiico  shown  a  noinrn"ii 


dablo  (lifspositioii  to  ('in  hraco  civili/.atioii  utid  aLcrM-ul- 
turo  and  forsake  thoir])r(!cariouH  and  rovinj.^  Iif«;  fif  liun- 
liii^'  and  dei)r(3dating  U|ion  their  Ufii^hhors.  Tho  nj- 
])()rt.sof  tho  aKont.sand  niJKsioiiarioK.show  thatthoy  mon; 
>,illing]y  roccivo  instruction  than  almost  any  otln-r 
tribes  of  Indiiins  whom  it  iian  boon  attcmpt^'d  to  civil- 
i/o.  Scliool.H  aro  CKtablislKjd  amon^^  them  ami  ninncr- 
ously  attoiidoil  by  tiio  yonth.s  of  tin;  tribes;  wliihj  tho 
eiders  in  many  cases  have  gone  coiitcntedly  to  work  in 


'  f. 


*  I 


|.l 


i:'n  * 


130 


LIFE    AND   TIMES 


« 


£iil_il       ji      1 


splitting  rails,  plouu^liing  tlioir  lands,  and  preparing 
chemselvcs  to  boconio  citizens  of  the  United  States. — 
There  has  been  of  late  years  an  increase  of  attention  bes- 
towed upon  all  these  tribes.  Daring  President  Pierce's 
administration,  alone,  there  were  fifty-two  separate  In- 
dian treaties  made,  and  the  Indian  title  to  over  174,- 
000,000  acres  of  land,  peaceably  relinquished  into  tiio 
hands  of  the  government  at  a  cost  of  about  a  quarter  of 
a  million  of  dollars.  The  Indian  appropriations  per 
year,  in  annuities,  presents,  salaries  of  Agents,  tkc, 
amount  now  to  about  one  million  dolhtrs  poryear.  The 
total  number  of  Indians  living  within  the  limiis  of  the 
United  States  and  territories  h  given  at  about  850,000; 
of  whom,  about  150,000  inhabit  New  Mexico  and  the 
territory  bordering  thereon;  some  60,000  the  Missouri 
and  branches;  and  the  remainder  are  distributed  over 
the  Pacific  slope  of  the  continent  from  Puget's  Sound 
to  the  southern  extreme  of  California. 

They  are  being  gradually  hemmed  in  on  both  sides, 
and  the  waves  of  white  population  will  in  a  few  years 
more  meet  in  the  midst  of  the  plains;  and  the  hunting 
grounds  of  the  Indians  wiii  bo  known  as  separate  pos- 
sessions, no  more,  forever. 

The  following  well  written  extract,  we  take  from  the 
report  of  Thomas  S.  Twiss,  Indian  agent  on  the  upper 
Platte  to  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  affairs,  Sept. 
15th.  1856.  The  entire  report  is  creditable  alike  to  the 
heart  and  hea  il  of  the  agent,  and  if  equally  humane 
considerations  as  he  evinces  actuated  more  of  our  pub- 
lic men  in  regard  to  the  Indians,  there  would  be  fewei* 
difficulties. 

"The  wild  Indian  of  the  prairies  is  not  very  different 
from  the  wild  Indian  as  described  by  the  early  colonists 


s)^ 


f  -ij 


OF   PATRIf'K    GAS8. 


131 


repann<? 
UatoH. — 
tioii  bcs- 
;  Pierce'« 
arato  Iii- 
3r  174,- 
l  into  tlio 
uartcr  of 
ions  per 
its,  &.C., 
oar.  The 
its  of  tho 
;^50,00(); 
and  the 
Missouri 
,od  over 
s  Sound 

,h  sides, 
\v  years 
hunting 
ate  pos- 

from  the 
0  upper 
3,  Sept. 
0  to  the 
humane 
mr  pub- 
e  fewer 

lifferent 
olonists 


of  the  Atlantic  States.     The  men   are  proud,  lian|^hty, 
independent,  dignilieil  in  tlieir  bearing,  observers  of  cer- 

li 


em 


ony  in  their  interoourso  witli  tliewliites  and  with  cadi 
otlier.  They  are  tauglit  to  hjok  upon  nianual  labor  as 
degrading  and  beneath  the  rank  of  the  red  \vuv\,  wheth- 


lie   be  chief. 


AH 


menial  services 
and  labor  are  performed  by  the  women,  who  are  real 
slaves  to  the  men.  The  only  education  of  the  latter  is 
on  the  war  path,  and  the  only  labor  the  pursuit' of  game. 
Beyond  these  he  has  no  subjects  of  thought,  or  exercis*; 
for  his  mental  faculties,  find  as  a  natural  conse<|ir^nce, 
lie  is  listless  and  idle  during  the  greater  part  of  his  tinne. 
"On  tho  war  path  or  in  the  chase  he  becomes  intense- 
ly excited,  and  undergoes  fatigue,  and  suffers  for  want 
of  food,  from  cold  and  thirst,  watches  his  enemy  or  his 
game,  until  lie  is  certain  of  striking  with  deadly  effect. 
Then,  when  he  returns  to  his  lodge,  he  joins  in  the  war 
dance,  or  in  the  feasts,  and  afterwards  sinks  into  that 
apathy  and  indilference  to  all  surrounding  objects,  which 
has  so  often  been  observed  and  commented  upon  by  tin; 
whites,  and  which  to  them  appears  so  strange  and  sin- 
gular, that  they  judge,  though  erroneously,  that  the  In- 
<ran  is  destiiute  of  sensibility,  feeling,  or  emotions. — 
\Vt  the  reverse  of  this  is  the  truth.  There  is  not  to  be 
tbr:!id  among  any  people  a  more  cheerful,  contented  and 
kinlly  disposed  being  than  the  Indian,  when  he  is  treat- 
ed with  kindness  and  humanity.  His  friendships  are 
strong;  d  lasting,  and  his  love  for  and  attachment  to 
his  children,  kindred  and  tribe,  have  a  depth  and  inten- 
sity which  place  him  on  an  equality  with  the  civilized 
race.  His  love  and  veneration  for  the  whiles  amount 
to  adoration,  which  is  only  changed  to  hatred  and  re- 
\enge  by  oppression,  crue^^'cs  und  deep  wrongs  and  in- 


!  m 


Mi 


im ; 


M  i-^  » 


i-  R 


m     < 

1  lii:^:  :i 


132 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


jmics  inflicted  upon  the  poor  Indian,  by  the  white  man, 
witliout  cause  or  reason.  ]5y  his  education  on  the  war 
path,  whicli  leads  to  honor,  fame  and  distinction,  tlic 
Indian  is  a  relentless,  terrible  enemy;  he  spares  neither 
age  nor  sex,  nor  condition,  but  slaughters  every  one 
that  comes  in  his  path  indiscriminately.  lie  neither 
knows  nor  heeds  the  laws  of  modern  warfare,  as  practi- 
ced and  observed  by  an  enlightened  civilization.  As  a 
<'onsequenee,  the  first  yell  of  the  war  whoop  has  scarcely 
died  away  in  its  distant  echof-s  before  a  war  of  exter- 
mination '  b-^Tnu  and  waged  against  the  poor  Indian, 
and  the  inn(.  and  the  guilty  alike  perish,  and  their 

bones  are  left  to  bleach  on  their  own  happy  hunting 
grounds.  This  is  but  a  faint  picture  of  Indian  wars 
that  have  waged  for  short  periods  in  every  State  and 
Territory  in  the  Union,  and  wdiich  Avill  burst  forth  con- 
stantly, until  the  power  of  the  government  is  exerted  ti) 
remove  lawless  and  desperate  wdiites  from  the  Indian 
countrv,  and  chanore  the  habits  of  the  Indian  from  a  ro- 
ving  and  hunter  life  to  one  of  agriculture  and  fixed  hab- 
itations. 

"It  mriy  not  be  considered  out  of  place,  I  trust,  if  1 
shouM  state  my  opinions,  formed  from  a  careful  obser- 
vation and  some  experience  as  to  the  pos-sibility  of  a  com  - 
bination  or  union  ot  the  wild  tribes  of  the  prn;ries,  to 
wage  war  against  the  United  States,  whicli  would  nec- 
essarily be  protracted  and  ex])onsive.  It  would  require 
a  mighty  genius  to  combine  nil  the  praide  tribes  in  hos- 
tility to  the  government.  Such  a  genius  must  possess 
I)0wei3  of  oratory  and  persuasion,  and  far-seeing  policy, 
and  a  popularity  greater  than  that  of  a  King  Phillip,  a 
Pontiac  or  a  Tecumsoh.  If  such  a  chief  were  to  appear 
on  the  prairio  now,  he  would  find  it  a  task  of  Hercule- 


OV    PATRICK    GA88. 


13a 


;m  hibor  to  form  a  party,  tlic  professed  object  of  which 
hhouhl  be  liostility  to  the  government.  It  wouhl  be  an 
ntter  'mpossibility  to  harmonize  discordant  elements, 
smootii  over  diflicnldes',  to  heal  ohl  wonnds  and  dilTur- 
onces  existing  among  the  different  tribes,  or  between 
bands  of  the  same  tribe,  licsides,  the  chiefs  are  trnly 
democratic,  and  are  extremely  jealous  of  each  other,  r.nd 
it  is  not  uncommon  to  liear  that  a  particular  chief  lias 
been  deposed  or  passed  over,  because  of  his  too  great 
popularity,  effected  by  a  combination  of  petty  chiefs, 
each  of  whom  aspired  to  the  ollico  of  liead  or  principal 
chief.  Other  causes  would  render  it  a  matter  of  great 
(lilliculty  to  unite  different  tribe?,  one  of  which  is  their  • 
own  constant  wars  and  lends,  which  arc  unceasing;  be- 
tween wliom  there  is  never  a  peace  nor  oven  a  truce. 

•'It  would  require  the  genius  and  military  talcnty,  the 
l)Owery  of  calculation  and  combination  of  a  Napoleon, 
to  form  and  maintain  a  union  of  these  tribes  for  any 
iengtli  of  time, 

"if  tlie  reasons  above  stated  arc  not  sulUciently  strong. 

to  prove  that  a  combination  of  the  wild   tribes  t(^    wage 

a  war  against  the  authority  of  the   government  is  uf.er- 

ly  and  absolutely  imposible,  for  Avant  of  a  master  f-pirit, 

to  unite,  guide,  and  coutrol  them,  and  the   chances   of 

of  such  a  leader  appearing  upon  the  prairies  being  small, 

and  evc-n  if  he  should  make  iiis  advent,  adverse  circnm- 

slances  aro  so  many,  and   apparently  insurmountable, 

that  even  momentary  success  could  not  bo   calculated 

upon,  another  and  still  stronger  reason  may  be  advance  d, 

wluch  is  sufficient  of  itself,  without  any  other,  lo  settle 

tliis  question  of  combination  at  once,  and  put  it  to  rest 

forever.     It  is  this;     The  Indians  entertain   no  hostile 

or  unfriendly  feelings  toward  the  government,     It  has. 


.  * 


1^ 


134 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


not  oppressed  nor  wronged  them.  They  do  not  seek  for 
any  redress  of  gricvanecs,  eitlier  real  or  imaginary,  lor 
theie  are  none.  The  parental  care  of  the  government 
to  wateli  over  their  interests,  to  ameliorate  their  con- 
dition, to  provide  for  their  wants  and  necessities,  and  to 
protect  them  in  their  rights,  is  so  plain  and  obvious  to 
the  Indians,  that  they  see  and  feel,  and  express  them- 
selves on  all  occasions,  that  this  guardianship  is  for 
their  good  and  welfare,  and  the  protection  of  the  Unitetl 
tStates  is  the  only  shield  by  which  they  can  hope  for 
safety  on  the  prairies,  surrounded  as  they  are  on  all 
sides  by  enemies.  They  make  no  complaints  against 
any  injustice  or  tyranny  exercised  toward  them  by  offi- 
cial agents.  It  is  only  against  those  unprincipled  whites 
who  reside  in  their  midst,  in  violation  of  law,  that  they 
complain  of  being  wronged,  cheated,  insulted  and  beat- 
en. It  is  certain  from  the  most  abundant  evidence  that 
the  tribes,  separately  and  collectively,  are  not  disaffected 
to  the  government.  They  are  friendly  and  well  dispos- 
ed, and  desire  to  maintain  their  peaceful  and  amicable 
relaiions  with  it.  This  feeling  of  affection  and  gratituae 
to  their  "Great  Father"  is  so  strong  and  deep  rooted  that 
it  is  not  in  the  power  of  man  to  break  or  cliange  it,  ex- 
cept momentarily.  Hence,  if  the  proper  and  tit  leader, 
should  arise,  yet  it  would  be  a  task  not  easily  accom- 
plished of  combining  the  tribes  for  an  offensive  or  de- 
fensive war,  consequently  all  cause  of  danger  on  that 
question  may  bo  dismissed,  and  we  need  apprehend  noun 
but  outbreaks  in  which  but  a  very  Rmall  number  of  In- 
dians of  any  one  band  is  engaged  in  hostility. 

"The  Indians  generally,  and  more  especially  the  old 
chiefs  and  principal  men,  are  shrewd  and  acute  reason - 
ers,  considering  that  they  have  no  advantages  of  educu- 


OF    PATRICK    OASfJ. 


1^5 


tion,  and  no  boots  of  philosophy  and  history  to  guide 
them  by  the  lights  of  truth  and  precedent.  Their  only 
history  is  oral  tradition,  mixed  with  much  fable,  hand- 
cd  down  from  generation  to  generation.  As  to  the  in- 
tellect, they  are  not  deficient,  and  cannot  be  placed  in  a 
.scale  much  below  the  white  race,  certainly  not  in  a  rank 
of  great  inferiority. 

!*The  mind  of  tlie  Indian  lies  a  barren  waste,  with- 
out education,  or  training  in  processes  of  reasoning  or 
logical  deductions,  except  by  such  modes  or  paths  as 
each  one  may  happen  accidentally  to  strike  out  for  him- 
self. Their  amusements  arc  few  and  simple;  their  vir- 
tues many;  and  vices  were  unlaiown  among  them  until 
contaminated,  debased  and  degraded  by  the  white  man. 
The  old  chiefs  in  council  have  often  called  my  atteation 
to  their  condition,  and  desired  that  I  would  request 
their  "Great  Father"  to  send  tiiem  a  farmer  to  teach 
the  old  men  and  women  how  to  cultivate  the  earth,  and 
raise  corn  lor  food;  that  they  might,  also  have  a  teach- 
er for  the  young  children,  and  a  missionary  of  the  Gos- 
pel to  teach  tbem  the  ways  of  the  Great  Spirit.  If  our 
Great  Father  will  be  pleased  to  do  these  things  for  us. 
we  shall  have  sul)jects  of  thoughts  and  attention  to  these 
things,  and  shall  not  think  of  going  out  upon  <"he  war 
trail.  We  shall  stay  at  home  and  be  quiet.  We  wish 
to  belike  the  white  man;  to  learn  his  ways  of  living, 
and,  like  him,  to  have  subjects  of  thought  and  occupa- 
tion. We  see  you,  father,  for  days  sitting  in  your  lodge, 
and  reading  in  the  great  book.  We  know  that  you 
are  conversing  with  the  Great  Spirit,  or  with  friends 
that  live  near  the  rising  sun.  You  cannot  see  them, 
yet  you  are  able  to  talk  with  them.  We  also  see  you 
engaged  in  writing  for  many  hours,  and  know  that  you 


i  h 


k 


■f.' 


136 


IJFIS    AND    TIMKS 


are  talkinc?  to  our  "(jlroat  Fatlier,"  and  asking  him  to 
take  pity  on  liis  reJ  cliiliU'en.  W'Jicii  thus  occupied,  you 
do  not  think  about  going  upon  the  war  paih  against 
your  oneiuics;  you  are  quiet  and  Imppy  at  iiome.  We 
wi.sli  to  be  tlie  same.  We  desire  lo  be  occupied  witli 
tliose  tilings  wliicli  are  useful  and  necessary  for  us  — 
Now  we  have  but  little  to  amuse  or  occupy  the  mind. 
Wo  are  anxious  to  do  good,  and  please  our  Great  Fa- 
ther, but  we  often  fail  ior  want  of  judgment  and  fore* 
thought,  which  Avould  not  be  the  ease  if  were  educated 
and  trained  like  the  white   man." 

Buch  is  a  brief  sketcli  of  wliat  has  been  brought  to 
my  notice  and  observation  in  my  intercourse  with  the 
wild  tribes  of  the  prairies.  I  trust  that  the  department 
will  take  such  steps  and  adopt  such  measures,  as  in  its 
judgment  and  wisdom  may  seem  best  to  ameliorate  and 
improve  the  condition  of  these  poor  Indians;  to  consid- 
er the  plan  of  colonization,  if  that  should  be  deemed  a 
proper  course  to  change  them  from  a  hunting  to  an  ag- 
ricultural people,  or  to  carry  into  effect  any  other  meth- 
od that  may  be  devised,  in  order  to  save  these  Indians 
from  those  wars  of  extermination  which  are  invariably 
marked  in  their  progress,  by  an  indiscriminate  slaugh- 
ter of  the  innocent  alike  with  the  guilty,  and  the  mer- 
ciless and  relentless  massacre  of  unoffending  women 
and  helpless  children." 

In  1805,  the  country  on  both  sides  of  the  Mississippi, 
and  the  Illinois,  the  Wabash,  the  Lakes,  and  even  on 
the  Ohio,  was  very  similar  in  many  respects  to  that  now 
on  the  Missouri,  the  Yellowstone,  the  Kansas  and  the 
Platte;  and  as  we  have  seen  large  and  populous  com- 
monwealths startup  on  these  former  rivers  within  that 
time,  80  we  may  reasonably   expect  in  half  a  century 


or    I'ATRICK    OA8  9. 


more,  tlic  Rnmc  development  to  take  place  in  the  latter. 
Already  settlements  have  been  pushed  far  up  the  MisN- 
ouri.     Tlie  Kansas  country  after  being  tlie  scene  of  tur- 
moil, confusion,  political  chicanery,  and  of  actual  war- 
faro  for  a  short  period,  has  taken  the  initiatory  steps  for 
admission  into  the  Union;  and   nourishing  cities  liavo 
sprung  up,  as  if  by  incantation,  where  but  a  few  t<hort 
years  ago,  were  but  Indian  lodges.     Fort  Leavenworth, 
the  frontier  post  of  a  few  dozen  public  buildings,  of  five 
years  ago,  has  developed  itself  into  a  handsome  city  of 
fcome  GOOO  population;  and  the   rolling  plains,  which 
Mr.  Gass  denominates  as  exceedingly  beautiful  and  fer- 
tile, have  been,  acre  after  acre,  appropriated;  and  are  be- 
ing rapidly  dotted  with  the  cabins  of  industrious  set- 
tlers.    This  was  not  effected  without  exertion  or  with- 
out danger.     The  Slavery  excitement,  which  had  been 
revived  in  regard  to  Kansas,  after  the  repeal  of  the  Mis- 
souri Compromise,  in  1850,   by  the  desire  of  the  Mis- 
sourians,  to  make  it  a  81avc  State,  and  the  opposition 
of  the  Northern  people  to  such  designs,  became  warm 
and  active,  about  the  year  1854.     The  act  to  organize 
the  Territory,  passed  Mixy  30th,   1854.     At  that  time, 
there  were  but  very  few  white  residents  in  the  Territo- 
ry, though  many  were  waiting  fur  the  Indian  reserva- 
tions to  come  in:*o  market,  with  the  intention  then  of 
becoming  settlers,  or  at  least  speculators.     The  Slave- 
ry controversy  waxed  warmer  and  hotter  in  Congress, 
and  in  the  States;  threatening  even  to  divide  the  Un- 
ion.    The  MisKourians  crossed  the  line  and  interfered 
in  the  Territorial  elections.  Emigrant  Aid  Societies  wero 
organized  in  both  sections,  and  the  era  of  Sharpe's  ri- 
tlea,  guerilla  warfare,  border   rufiianism,  anti-Slavery 
fanaticism  and  m  utual  outrage,  was  definitely  inaugu- 


iVi^' 


'  ■if 


138 


LIFE   AND   TIMES 


':v  A' 


rated.  Matters  progi  essed,  until  the  Territory  was  de- 
clared in  a  state  of  insurrection — the  forms  of  law  be- 
ing disregarded  by  all  parties,  and  the  wildest  anarchy 
prevailing.  Brevet  Major  Gen.  Porsifer  F.  Smith,  who 
died  in  1858,  at  Leavenworth,  universally  lamented, 
was  at  that  time  Military  commander  of  the  Department- 
Governor  after  Governor: — lleeder,  Shannon,  Geary 
and  Walker,  were  successively  elected  and  deposed,  or 
voluntarily  resigned,  in  the  short  space  of  two  years, 
being  unable  to  enforce  obedience  or  even  command  re- 
spect. In  February,  1850,  President  Pierce  declared 
by  proclamation,  martial  law  in  the  Territory,  and  the 
Military  were  ordered  to  restore  order  and  enforce  the 
laws  of  the  United  States.  Rival  legislative  bodies  had 
been  organized,  and  capitals  established  at  Topeka  and 
Lecompton,  fraud  and  violence  prevailed  and  desperate 
remedies  became  imperative.  The  Topeka  Convention 
was  pronounced  unlawful  in  its  organization  and  ob- 
jects; and  on  the  4th  of  July,  1856,  Col.  E.  V.  Sum- 
ner, at  the  head  of  a  body  of  U.  S.  Troops,  forcibly  dis- 
persed it,  while  in  session.  Secretary  of  War,  Jefferson 
Davis,  censured  him  for  this  employment  of  the  troops 
as  unnecessary.  Previously,  on  the  28th  of  June,  Col. 
Jim  Lane,  having  raised  money  and  250  volunteers, 
on  the  Free  State  side,  threatened  to  march  with  large 
reinforcements,  from  Chicago  across  Iowa,  to  Council 
Blufifs.  The  pro- Slavery  men,  under  Titus,  Buford, 
Stringfellow,  Atchison  &  Co.,  were  also  organized  in 
numbers.  The  appearance  of  the  Federal  troops  made 
the  beligerents  more  wary,  but  did  not  stop  the  distur- 
bance. Gen.  Smith,  on  the  26th  of  July,  announced 
the  Territory  peaceable;  but  in  one  month  afterwards, 
1200  armed  men  were  said  to  be  assembled  at  Lawrence. 


i 


OK    PATUICK    GA88. 


139 


-I 


threatening  to  march  over  to  Lecompton,  the  capital  of 
tlie  Territory,  and  destroy  it;  and  on  the  authority  of 
(jiov.  Shannon,  Lieut.  Col.  Johnson  was  ordered  to  pro- 
ceed to  Lecompton,  with  all  the  troops  at  his  dis-posal, 
to  protect  the  public  property.  At  this  time  the  house 
of  Col.  Titus,  near  Lecompton,  was  attacked,  one  man 
killed,  and  several  taken  prisoners,  who  were  afto/wardii 
delivered  up  to  the  Federal  Authorities.  The  skirmish 
of  Hickory  Point,  took  place  September  6th,  between 
the  Free  Soilers,  under  Harvey,  and  the  U.  S.  Troops, 
in  which  the  former  were  surprised  and  dispersed. 

Gov.  Geary  came  into  office,  Sept.  11th,  1856,  und 
issuing  a  conciliatory  address,  the  war  began  to  sub- 
side. From  that  date  the  reign  of  violence  sensibly  de- 
••reased,  though  Kansas  affairs  continued  the  staple  of 
political  discussion  for  a  long  time  after,  and  were  not 
finally  determined  until  the  decisive  vote  of  the  people 
of  Kansas,  in  lavorof  a  Free  State  policy,  in  Aug- 
ust, 1858. 

At  this  time  the  question  may  be  considered  as  defi- 
nitely settled,  the  Territory  of  Kansas  has  nearly  suffi- 
cient population  to  qualify  it  for  admission  as  a  State, 
find  before  many  more  months  she  will  emerge  a  full- 
fledged  member  of  the  American  Union. 

The  Kansas  controversy  may  now  be  coiisidered  clo- 
sed, and  the  era  of  peace  and  good-will  again  prevails 
throughout  the  recently  distracted  Territory.  A  deci- 
ded majority  of  the  population  appear  to  be  opposed  to 
Slavery  as  an  institution  of  the  prospective  State;  and 
the  fact  has  induced  a  large  immigration.  Never  in  the 
history  of  the  country  have  mens'  minds  bo'^n  inflamed 
to  so  dangerous  a  degree,  and  never  were  the  evils  of 
sectional  animosity  so  fearfully  apparent.     Nothing  but 


:*  'J 


i  * 


■i 

\ 

i 

r 

1^ 

'■■j'i 
la'* 

■ 

i! 

I  ■ 

m 

-Ml 

;■ 

;i 

n 

1 

i 

[ 

140 


LII'E    AND    TIMES 


the  conservative  good  sense  of  tlm  American  diameter 
and  iho  inherent  nenso  of  right  of  the  Anici  iciin  i>e(>})le 
wunh^l  oil'  tlie  imminent  (hvnger  of  a  civil  wur,  with 
the  antohl  calamities,  that  must  luivo  followed  in  its 
train.  ^ 

Wo  liavo  nosv  brought  our  hero  tlirougli  a  most  im-. 
portant  portion  of  liis  career,  and  sketclied  liglitly  the 
history  of  the  Territory,  of  whose  dovoh)pement  lie  and 
his  iMirtv  v\'ero  the  liarLinLrcrs.  Their  niemorv  still  lin- 
gors  among  tlio  natives  of  the  Missouri,  and  the  com- 
manding olliccrs  have  left  their  names  indelibly  impres- 
sed, not  only  upon  the  history  but  upon  the  geography 
of  the  country.  So  long  as  Lewis'  river  flows  toward 
the  Pacific,  or  the  name  of  Clarke  remains  impressed 
upon  the  stream  that  bears  his  name,  posterity  will  have 
them  in  perpetual  remembrance.  Nor  have  the  subalt- 
erns been  forgotten.  In  many  an  Indian  lodge  in  tho 
distant  West,  the  old  chiefs  still  speak  of  iho  white  men 
who  came  among  them  first,  with  presents  and  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship;  and  around  the  campfires  of  tho  trap- 
pers, as  the  LogC'ids  of  the  Missouri  arc  told,  the  name 
of  Sergeant  Gass,  is  yet  connected  with  many  a  tale  of 
daring  adventure. 

Mr.  Gass  had  now  returned,  in  1806,  to  the  home  of 
his  friends,  and  acting  under  their  advice,  he  resolved 
to  have  published  the  Journal  of  his  travels.  He  had 
kept  notes,  in  accordance  with  directions,  during  the  en- 
tire expedition,  but  they  were  not  exactly  in  a  shape 
proper  for  publication,  and  his  ^imited  education  preclu- 
ding the  idea  of  arranging  them  for  the  press,  he  secur- 
ed the  services  of  an  Irish  schoolmaster,  named  McKee- 
han.  Mr.  McKeehan  undertook  the  task,  and  the  re- 
sult was  an  octavo  volume,  of  262  pages,  which  at  the 


'Ffl^ 


OF    PATRICK    DABS. 


141 


timo  met  with  a  great  domand,  principally  owing  to  in- 
terest that  was  then  felt  in  the  subject,  as  the  book  it- 
self, as  it  appears  now,  is  rather  dry,  meagre  and  unin- 
teresting. McKcehan  presented  his  materialw  in  the 
raw  state,  almost,  and  undigested,  just  as  they  were 
noted  down  by  the  author, — very  frankly  stating  in  his 
preface,  that  "neither  ho  .^i  Mr.  (lass  had  attempted  to 
give  adequate  representations  of  the  scenes  portrayed.'* 
Mr.  Gass  received  the  copy- right  of  the  work,  and  one 
hundred  copies  of  the  first  edition,  while  Mclvechan  re- 
ceived as  liis  coni])eusation,  the  balance  of  the  edition, 
which  he  disposed  of,  to  some  profit.  Mr.  Gass  reali- 
zed but  very  little  of  tlie  proceeds  of  his  work,  which  ap- 
peared in  the  spring  of  1807,  printed  by  Zadoc  Kramer, 
Pittsburgh.  It  has  been  since  re-prii  ted,  in  violation 
of  his  copy-right,  and  had  some  sale,  as  a  matter  of  cu- 
riosity; but  at  tliis  time  it  is  out  of  print,  and  very  few 
copies  are  believed  to  be  in  existence.  The  work  lays 
no  claim  to  beauty  of  diction,  or  much  arrangement,  but 
is  valuable  as  being  a  correct,  unvarnished  record  of  the 
incidents  of  travel  through  an  unknown  region;  and  an 
showing  Indian  character  in  its  true  light,  before  being 
modified  by  intercourse  with  "white  men,  and  the  viccn 
of  civilization.  AVhat  the  writings  of  Mather,  Gharle- 
voix  and  Smith  are  to  the  'Salvages'  of  New  England, 
Canada  and  \  irglnia,  the  Journal  of  Gass  will  be  to  the 
future  historian,  as  to  the  aborigines  of  the  future  Statcn 
some  day  to  be  organized  on  the  banks  of  the  Missou- 
ri, the  Kansas,  the  Platte  and  the  Columbia;  with  the 
difference  in  his  favor,  ihnt  his  is  free  from  the  tenden- 
cy to  the  marvellous,  that  so  much  distingnishes  those 
veracious  chroniclers. 
But  the  excitement  of  authorship  was  too  tame  for  our 


I 


'M 


'    vt 


'Mm- 

i 


ml 


142 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


adventurous  hero,  and  aooordingly,  tlio  siuno  spring  of 
1S07,  wo  find  him  again  fihaping  his  courso  for  tho  fron- 
tier, and  for  tho  noxt  four  yoars  of  his  lifo,  ]io  was  en- 
gaged in  various  duties  ahout  the  tlien  outpost  of  Kas- 
kaskia.  For  some  time  here,  he  lieM  the  post  of  assis- 
tant eommissary,  and  transacted  tlie  (iuties  of  tlie  oflico 
with  his  accustomed  iidelitv  and  zaA. 


'.  * 


It 


^'1 


CHAPTER  ITT. 


TIIK   WAR   OF    1812 


i  * 


\s  1812,  the  Rinoulderiiiig  embers  rT  the  nevoluiiori 
broke  out  anew  in  tlio  second  war  of  Jnilependence. — 
The  ^verbeuri^li;  conduct  of  the  British  oflicialH  and  the 
lyranuicftl  assuin[)tions  of  their  (jiovernment,  had  incen- 
sed the  hate  of  the  people  of  tlie  United  States,  to  the 
pnnt  of  violence,  notwitlistandiiig  that  the  *.'ountry  had 
but  barelv  recovered  from  the  (ixhaustion  consecnient 
upon  tli'!  niNMjlution;  and  was  but  {)Oorly  prepared  for 
a  lon<^  ami  arduous  conllict  with  ho  powerful  an  enemy. 
J^t  the  conclusion  of  the  revolutionary  war,  the  Iiritish 
(jiovernment  had  acceded  to  the  tniaty  recognizing  the 
intlejicu'lence  of  the  colonies,  with  a  very  bad  grace, 
and  up  to  the  very  tinio  of  sigiiing  the  definitive  arti- 
cles of  i)eace,  Gen.  Washington  had  been  Huspicious  of 
treachery,  and  warned  Congress  and  uis  countrymen, 
to  be  on  their  guard  against  the  faitlil  .sHuess  of  the  Brit- 
ish. It  was  the  severest  blow  her  pride  had  ever  sus- 
tained. Although  compelled  to  a  formal  recognition 
of  independence,  it  was  only  after  an  eight  years'  war, 
jifter  she  had  exhausted  all  her  means  in  the  colonies, 
had  tired  the  patience  of  her  people  at  home,  and  after 


\\ 


'^f 


I'll 


I 


m 


.■^i 


j^^iiy 


i 

H 


144 


LIFE   AND    TIMES 


she  had  been  menaced  hy  European  eombinations  into 
the  ungrateful  necessity.  She  never  cordially  recogni- 
sed the  new  republic  as  a  nieuiber  in  the  family  of  na- 
tions;  although  constrained  by  considerations  of  policy 
IVoin  any  open  demonstration  of  liostility  against  the 
rising  commonwealths  of  her  own  blood  and  kin.  The 
unsettled  state  of  affairs  in  Europe  during  the  latter 
part  of  the  hist  century,  and  the  wars  of  N'apolcon  that 
immediately  followed  in  the  beginning  of  the  present, 
required  all  her  attention  for  her  own  protection;  but 
toward  the  close  of  this  era,  when  the  power  of  the  great 
('orsican  had  begun  to  Avano  and  she  hud  a  short  res- 
pitQ  from  tlio  machinations  of  her  continental  enemies, 
whe  turned  her  attention  beyond  the  wavers.  The  8tal«^s 
had  excited  her  resentment  by  alfording  aid  and  com- 
I'ort  to  the  French.  She  had  never  forgiven  them  for 
inviting  and  receiving  assistance  from  France,  during 
the  revolutionary  struggle;  and  when,  during  tlie  al- 
most utter  nunihilation  of  commerce  between  the  Euro- 
[)«?ftn  powers,  consequent  upon  the  wars,  the  Americans 
taking  advantage  of  their  neutrality,  became  the  com- 
7iion  carriers  almost  of  the  world,  and  did  not  discrim- 
inate against  her  enemy,  the  French;  but  were  rather 
tlisposed  to  show  them  favor,  her  rescntnient  was  great- 
ly increased.  Assum.iiii;  the  sovereignty  of  the  seas, 
she  established  an  espi»)nage  of  commerce.  She  asser- 
te<l  and  exercised  the  right  of  search  on  the  high  seas, 
and  condemned,  without  scruple,  as  contraband!  of  war, 
whatever  her  ofKccrs  saw  fit  to  so  declare.  The  mor- 
ehaut  service  was  harrassed  hy  her  exactions,  and  Amer- 
ican oflicers  insulted  on  their  own  vessels.  She  claim- 
ed and  exercised  the  privilege  of  testing  the  nationality 
of  the  paihvs  on  board  the  vessels  boarded  by  her  ofti« 


■'■m 


if 


OF    PATRICK    OA88. 


145 


rt3rs,  and  on  the  suspicion  tliat  they  were  subjects  of 
(xrcat  Britain,  slie  forcibly  iin pressed  into  her  service, 
from  tlie  decks  of  American  mercliantmen,  not  only  for- 
eir^n,  but  American  born  sailors.  She  affected  a  sur- 
veillance of  our  coasts,  and  in  effect  blockaded  with  her 
men-of-war  our  ports,  so  as  seriously  to  impede  com- 
merce. She  passed  orders  in  council  ande.vecuted  them 
in  defiance  of  our  laws  and  retnonstrances;  and  was  rap- 
idlv  vindicatinij:  bv  her  actions  her  claim  to  be  consiJ- 
orcd  the  mistress  of  the  seas. 

The  Americans  bore  her  insolent  pretensions  in  no 
very  patient  spirit,  for  the  old  leaven  of  the  revolution 
was  still  fresh  in  the  masses  of  the  people;  and  many 
of  the  veterans  of  that  contest  were  yet  alive  and  on  the 
statue  of  action.  Yet  thov  were  slow  to  act.  The  conn- 
try  was  Just  recovered  from  the  depletion  of  the  revolu- 
tion, the  continental  wars  had  thrown  an  immense  trade 
into  the  hands  of  our  merchants  and  shi)  -owners,  man- 
ufactures had  bcijrun  to  llourish,  and  the  country  was 
just  starting  upon  the  high  road  •  prosperity.  The 
industrial  ii'terests  of  the  country  demanded  ji^ace.  It 
was  well  understood  that  the  first  hostile  giiii  would  bo 
the  sit'nal  for  the  swarming  navv  of  («reat  Britain  to 
pounce  upon  our  scattered  merchantmen,  and  sweep  our 
commerce  from  the  face  of  the  ocean.  Self-interest  plead 
strongly  for  peace,  even  to  the  endurance  of  injury  and 
insult.  The  merchants  of  the  seaboard  and  their  rep- 
resentatives in  Congress,  counseled  forbearance;  and 
as  their  interests  were  the  interests  that  were  mosli  di- 
rectly aifected  by  the  alledged  causes  of  war,  their  re- 
monstrances had  great  elfect  towards  deferring  the  dec- 
laration of  war.  On  the  other  hand,  the  national  spir- 
it of  the  country  felt  itself  insulted, — pride  was  outra- 


I 


f 


K)*i 


I  \-,  ^ 


nP 


146 


LIFE    AND    TI5IE9 


^ 


Si 


ged,  and  from  the  interior,  and  from  the  distant  west, 
came  up  deep  and  ominous  sounds  of  dissatisfaction. — 
The  war-spirit  of  the  people  was  Lecoming  aroused  and 
the  first  notes  of  defiance  carao  from  the  bankft  of  the 
Ohio,  the  Mississippi  and  the  Great  Lakes.     The  west- 
ern people  were  anxious  for  the  war.     At  length,  Juno 
18th,  1812,  during  tlie  Administration  of  Mr.  Madison, 
war  was  formally  declared.     It  was  commenced   ivith- 
out  any  exactly  defined  cause,  and  fought  and  ended, 
without  the  exi)ress  recognition,  l.y  either  party,  of  any 
contested  question  or  principle.    It  appears  to  have  been 
necessary,  more  to  settle  decisively  and  forever,  ques- 
tions of  feeling  than  of  policy;  though  of  these  latter, 
there  were  many  that  required   settlement.     These  re- 
mained undecided  for  nearly  half  a  century  afterwards, 
when  in  1858,  the  British  handsomely  and  unequivocal- 
ly renounced  the  right  of  search  and  impressment,  which 
they  had  refused,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  in  1815. 
Still,  although  the  war  was  apparently  fruitless  of  con- 
sequences, it  was  practically  final   as  to  the  grievances 
of  which  the  Americans  complained.     The  British  (lov- 
ernmeut,  while  it  avoided  any  acknowledgement  of  the 
American  doctrines  regarding  impressment,   and  the 
right  of  search,  nevertheless,  of  their  own  accord,  care- 
fully avoided  any  repetition  of  the  offence  itself,  confi- 
dent that  if  they  repeated  it,  ilivy  Avould  have  the  war 
to  fight  over  again;  and  that  the  indulgence  would  not 
pay  them  for  the  trouble  it  would  cost.     On  this  prin- 
ciple, although  the  right  was  never  in  so  many  words 
relinquished,  no  eftbrt  at  exercising  it  was  ever  made, 
until  thai  of  1858,  which  resulted  so  bappily.     This  at- 
tempt to  revive  it,  it  may  be  proper  to  say   was  order- 
ed through  a  misconstruction  of  the  sentiments  of  the 


OF    PATRICK    GA9S. 


147 


American  Secretary  of  State,  and  executed  in  another 
misconstruction  of  orders,  Ly  tlie  officers  in  (  »mmand 
of  tlie  British  squadron,  effecting  the  end  it  accomplish- 
ed, much  more  by  good  hick  than  by  good  management. 
The  zeal  with  wliich  the  declaration  of  war  was  hail- 
ed in  the  Southern  and  Western  portions  of  the  Union 
is  historical;  as  is  also  the  reluctance  of  the  Eastern 
and  New  England  States  to  engage  in  it,  to  the  detri- 
ment of  their  trading  interests,  and  the  unprepared  state 
of  the  country  at  large,  to  enter  upon  a  long  and  ardu- 
ous war,  with  their  powerful  and  implacable  foe.  Still 
the  news  spread  over  the  country  like  wild-fire,  and  was, 
in  the  West,  hailed  with  enthusiasm.  Volunteers  crowd- 
ed round  the  standard  of  the  stars  and  stripes.  The  ex- 
citement reached  the  frontier,  and  a  call  was  published 
at  Kaskaskia,  appealing  to  the  patriotism  of  the  pio- 
neers to  organize  in  the  common  defence.  A  company 
of  rangers  was  quickly  rendezvoused  at  Herculaneum, 
in  Missouri,  in  consequence  of  the  call.  Mr.  Gass  was 
prevented,  accidently,  from  joining  this  party,  the  or- 
ganization and  objects  of  which,  suited  his  disposition, 
but  quickly  found  that  he  would  be  needed  in  another 
capacity.  For  a  short  time  previous  to  the  declaration 
of  war,  he  had  been  engaged  in  the  lead  trade — then 
thriving  in  the  vicinity  in  which  he  was  located,  and  it 
so  happened  that  at  the  time  the  rangers  were  being  or- 
ganized, he  was  absent  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  with  a  quan- 
tity of  lead,  for  the  purpose  of  trade.  While  here,  a 
great  excitement  existed  in  reference  to  the  depredations 
of  the  Southern  Indians, — men  were  being  raised,  and 
preparations  made  for  a  campaign  against  them;  and 
he  was,  much  against  his  will,  drafted  into  the  regiment 
raised  by  General  Jackson,  to  fight  against  the  Creeks. 


I* 

( 
I 

1)1 


!l 


M 


I  i'i 


;,i 


% 


Irt, 


148 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


Ho  had  the  option,  however,  of  enlisting  in  the  regular 
army  for  five  years,  with  'Sl^'O  cash  in  advance,  and  a 
promise  of  ^^'24:  extra,  on  the  expiration  of  his  time  of 
service  and,  perhaps  coming  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
line  of  his  usefulness  lay  in  a  military  direction,  he  forth- 
with enlisted  for  the  war,  under  Gon.  Gainer,  and  was 
immediately  marched  to  the  North,  leaving  his  lead 
speculation  in  the  hands  of  his  partner. 

At  this  time  he  came  into  contact  with  many  of  the 
military  characters,  then  obscure,  but  who  since  have 
distingniwhed  themselves  in  tlie  annals  of  the  country 
HS  soldiers  and  statesmen.  To  recapitulate  the  stirring 
scenes  of  that  era  is  not  within  the  province  of  our 
(sketch,  though  as  Mr.  Gass,  served  through  the  three 
several  campaigns  faithfully  in  the  service  of  his  coun- 
try, a  cursory  review  of  the  war  of  1812,  might  seem 
necessary  to  a  proper  elucidation  of  his  character.  That, 
lioweveris  the  duly  of  the  general  historian  and  to  repeat 
it  here,  would  transcend  the  limits  of  our  plan.  In 
1813,  ISlv.  Gass,  was  stationed  at  Fort  Massac,  in  Illi- 
nois, where  he  remained  for  some  months  occupied  dili- 
gently in  frontier  duties,  conciliating  as  far  as  possible  the 
good  will  of  the  Indians  with  whom  the  Briiish  were  at 
the  same  time  tampering;  and  whom  they  were  endeav- 
oring; to  induce  to  take  up  arms  ai-'aiiist  the  Americans. 
Tiiis,  with  other  '^uch  important,  tliough  unobtrusive 
.services  occupied  liis  time  at  iliis  period.  Removing 
thence,  to  Bellfontaine  and  afterwards  accompanied  by  a 
detachment  of  forty  men,  some  forty  miles  above  the 
mouth  of  the  Illinois,  ihey  constructed  there  a  fort.  At 
this  place,  Mr.  Gass,  was  so  unfortunate  as  to  lose  an 
eye  by  being  struck  with  a  splinter  from  a  falling  tree. — 
Tiie  surgery  at  hand  was  very  indilTeient;  and  his  eye 


•  5^1 


■■i?.| 


or    PATRICK    OASS. 


149 


healed  up  with  difliculty,  disabling  him  from  active  ser- 
vice for  several  months.  Nursing  his  hurt  tlirongh  the 
winter  of  1813-4;  in  ihe  Spring,  orders  came  to  prepare 
with  all  speed  a  ihiot  of  baats  on  the  bank.s  of  the  lilin- 
oia,  in  whicli  his  corps  should  proceed  with  all  their  mu- 
nitions, to  rittsburgh— there  to  join  the  Northern  army, 
that  was  assembling  for  the  delence  of  the  Canada  fron- 
tier. A  few  weeks,  sulhcod  to  enable  them  to  Kni)ply 
themselves  witii  Heating  crafts  and  leaving  their  encamp- 
ment, ihey  embarked  on  the  Illinois,  down  which  thov 
lluated,  until  they  struck  the  Mississippi,  and  thence 
down  to  the  mouth  of  the  oiiio.  At  this  time  the  riv- 
ers wereswollen  with  ihe  spring  rains  and  the  low  laniis 
at  the  moutli  of  thd  Ohio  were  covered  with  water. — 
The  current  was  swd't  and  they  had  no  means  of  ascend- 
ing except  by  dint  of  pushing,  and  pulling  by  the  trees 
on  the  banks.  However,  they  iiersevered,  and  after  in- 
credible labor  they  reached  about  the  1st.  of  July,  lbl4, 
Pittsburgh,  their  })lace  of  destination — having  traverftcd 
in  this  laborious  style,  the  whole  length  of  the  Ohio, 
from  its  mouth  to  its  very  head. 

Arriving  at  IMttsburg,  the  men  were  at  once  formed 
into  four  companies  under  the  immediate  command  of 
Col.  NichoUs,  and  attached  to  the  northern  army  com- 
manded by  Gen.  Brown. 

The  war  by  this  time  had  progressed  and  many  im- 
portant events  had  taken  place.  JMany  gallant  encoun- 
ters had  taken  place  on  the  seas,  in  which  the  American 
arms  were  often  victorious,  demonstrating  their  ability 
to  copo  snccessfully  with  England  on  her  favorite  ele- 
ment; merchantmen,  had  been  converted  into  privateer*, 
and  carried  havoc  among  the  mercantile  marine  of  the 
•nemy;  and  in  the  marine  department  of  the  war,    tho 


!       } 


m 


150 


LIFE    AND   TIMES 


American  arms  were  triumphant.     On  land,  t])cy  were 
not  so  fortunate.     At  the  outset  of  the  war,  the  regular 
army  was  next  to  nothing  in  numbers;  and  although 
the  President  was  authorized  to  call  out   100,000  mili- 
tia, experience  soon  demonstrated,  that  however  patri- 
otic the  militia,  and  however  brave   in  defence  of  their 
firesides,  they  were  veiy  unreliable  in  an  aggressive  war 
as  this  was  in  some  respects  to  be.     Tiie  militia,  could 
with  difficulty,^  often,  be  induced  to  march  beyond  the 
borders  of  their  own  States;  and  absolutely   refused  to 
cross  into  Canada,  when  the  reduction   of  Canada  be- 
came an  object  witli  the  Americans.     It  required  time, 
to  organise  a  regularly  drilled  army,  and  consequently, 
the  first  campaigns  of  the  war  were  anything  but  flatter- 
ing to  the  proAvess  of  the  American  arms.     Gen.  Hull, 
a  veteran  officer  of  the  revolution,  had  surrendered   his 
army  at  Detroit,  in  August  1813;  Gen.  Winchester  had 
been  defeated  on  the  frontier  in  January,  1814,  and  his 
whole  force  compelled  to  capitulate  to  the  British  under 
Col.  Proctor.  The  militia  were  generally  uncontrollable 
and  defeat  and  disaster  seemed  to  be  the   order  of  the 
day.     The  theatre  of  war  had  become  located  on  the 
Canada  frontier.     The  Americans  had  attempted  an  in- 
vasion under  Gen.  Van  llcnsaleer  and  were  successful, 
until  thv^'arted  by  the  "constitutional  scruples"    of  the 
militia,  and  compelled  to  retreat.     The  British  and  In- 
dians were  in  force  along  the  whole  line  under  l*roctor, 
Riall  and  others;  and  the  inhabitants  were  greatly  har- 
rassed  by  their  constant  forays.     The  lakes  themselves 
were   also   the   scenes  of  several  gallant  encounters  be- 
tween the  American  and  English  vessels,  which  result- 
ed  gloriously  to  the  former.     This  frontier  was  the 
scene  of  more  hard  fighting  than  any  other  portion  of 


OP   PATRICK    OASg. 


161 


3Ult- 

the 
of 


the  roiiiitry.  In  the  Spring  of  1814,  it  was  determined 
to  make  a  desperate  etlort  not  only  to  retrieve  the  honore 
of  tliH  American  arms  by  a  brilliant  campaign  but  to 
make  a  decisive  strike  toward  the  invasion  and  capture 
of  Canada.  By  this  time  the  Americans  had  become 
more  accustomed  to  the  service,  and  a  better  spirit  had 
begun  to  actuate  the  militia.  The  army  was  in  better 
drill,  better  organizt;il  an  1  more  eflicicntly  officered 
than  it  had  previously  been.  Men  were  oidered  from 
Kentucky,  Ohio  and  other  western  States  tc  rendezvous 
at  different  points  on  the  frontier;  and  in  pursuance  of 
this  order,  the  detachment  to  which  our  hero  was  at- 
tached was  forthwith  marched  from  Pittsburgh,  up 
French  Creek,  to  Presque  Isle,  now  Erie,  and  crosfccd 
over  into  Canada.  Here,  alter  a  series  of  marches  and 
counter-marches,  without  any  actual  collision  with  the 
enemy,  although  often  in  their,  immediate  proximity, 
the  detachment  spent  a  few  days  in  Canada,  then  re-cros- 
sed the  Niagara  at  Black  Ilock  into  the  States  and  in  a 
very  few  days  after,  crossed  again  into  Canada  at  Chip- 
pewa Fort.  The  American  army  at  this  time,  was  in 
two  divisions — one  commanded  by  Gen.  Brown,  the 
other  by  Gen.    Macomb,  both  r^o-operating  together. 

Nile's  Register  gives  the  following  account  of  the  bat- 
tle at  Chippew^a,  to  participate  in  which,  Mr.  Gass  ar- 
rived but  a  few  hours  too  late. 

"On  the  evening  of  the  2nd  of  July,  general  orders 
were  issued  for  the  embarkation  of  the  troops  by  day- 
light next  morning,  when  the  army,  consisting  of  two 
brigades,  and  a  body  of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania 
volunteers  and  Indians,  under  General  P.  B.  Porter, 
were  landed  on  the  opposite  shore,  without  opposition. 
The  first  brigade,  under    Gen.  Scott,  aud  the  artillery 


ri 

+  \  I 
;   hi 

1   ^1 


I 


I. 


>!-. 


m 


152 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


corps,  under  Major  ITindman,  landed  nearly  a  mile  le- 
lovv  Fort  Erie,  while  General  Kipley.  with  the  second 
made  the  shore  about  the  same  di.stariee  above.  The 
fort  was  soon  completely  invented, and  a  battery  of  long 
eigliteens  being  planted  in  a  position  whicii  commanded 
it,  the  garrison,  consisting  of  lo7  men,  including  ofli- 
ccrs,  Kurrendered  prisoners  of  war.  Several  pieces  of 
ordnance  were  found  in  the  fort,  and  some  military 
stores. 

Having  pbced  a  small  garrison  in  Fort  Krio  to  sc- 
cnrehis  rear,  lii own  moved  foivvard  the  following  day 
10  Chippewa  phiins,  wlieie  he  encamped  for  the  night, 
after  some  skirmishes  with  the  enemy. 

The  American  pi  d»ets  were  several  t^T^^es  attacked  on 
the  morning  of  the  5tli,  by  small  parties  of  the  British. 
About  four  in  the  afternoon,  Geu'-ral  Porter,  with  the 
volunteers  and  lndi;ins,  was  ordered  to  advance  from  the 
rearoftlie  American  camp,  and  take  a  circuit   through 
the   woods    to    the  left,  in  hopes  of  getting  beyond  the 
skirmishing  parties  of  the  enemy,  and  cutting   off  their 
retreat,  and  to  favor  this  purpose  the  advance  were  or- 
dered to  tall  back  giadually  under  the  enemy's  fire.     In 
about  half  an  hour,  however,  Porter's   advance  met  the 
light    parties    in  the   woods,  and  drove  them  until  the 
whole  column  of  the  British  was  met  in  order  of  battle. 
From  the  clouds  of  dust  and  the  heavy  firing.    General 
Brown   concluded  that  the  entire  force  of  the  British  v  as 
in  motion,  and  instantly  gave  orders  for  General  Scoit 
to  advance   with  his  brigade  and  Towson's  artillery, 
ftod  meet  them  on  the  plain  in  frtnt  of  the  American 
earap.     In  a  few  minutes  Scott  was  in  close  action  with 
a  superior  force  of  British  regulars. 

By   tbia  time,    Porter's   volunteers    having     given 


OP    PATRICK    0AS8. 


1 


5.S 


war   and   fled,  the  left  flank  of  Scott's  brigade  became 
much  exposed.     Oenoral   Ripley,   was  accordingly  or- 


dered to  advance  with  a  part  of  the 
the  woods  on  tiie  left,  in  order  to  1> 


reverve,  and  ykirting 
eepoi 


)iitof  view,    en- 


deavor to  gain  the  rear  of  the  enemy's  right  flank.  The 
greatest  exertions  were  made  to  gain  it,  but  in  vain. — 
Such  was  the  gallantry  and  impetnosjity  of  the  brigade 
of  General  Scott,  that  its  advance  upon  the  enemy  was 
frot  to  be  cliCL'ked.  Major  Jessup,  commanding  the  bu- 
tallion  on  the  left  Hank,  linding  himself  press'ed  both  in 
front  and  in  Ibink,  and  his  men  falling  around  him,  or- 
dered hiy  batallion  to  "support  armx  and  advance." — 
Amidst  the  most  destructive  fire  this  order  was  prompt- 
ly obeyed,  and  he  soon  gained  a  more  secure  position, 
and  returned  upon  the  enemy  so  galling  a  discharge,  a^ 
caused  them  to  retire. 

The  whole  line  of  the  British  now  fell  back,  and  tlie 
American  troops  closely  pressed  upon  them.  As  soon 
as  the  former  gained  the  sloping  ground  descending  to- 
wards Chippewa,  they  broke  and  ran  to  their  works, 
distant  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  and  the  batteries  open- 
ing on  the  American  line,  considerably  checked  the  pur- 
suit. Brown  now  ordered  the  ordnance  to  be  brought 
up,  with  the  intention  of  forcing  the  works.  But  on 
their  being  examined,  he  was  induced  by  the  lateness  of 
the  hour,  and  the  advice  of  his  officers,  to  order  the  for- 
ces to  retire  to  camp. 

"The  American  official  account  states  their  loss  at  60 
killed,  248  wounded,  and  19  missing.  The  Britisii  of- 
ficially state  theirs  at  132 killed,  320  wounded,  and  46 
missing. 

"Dispirited  as  was  the  public  mind  at  this  period,  the 
intelligeace  of  this  brilliant  and  uaexpectod    opening  oi; 


¥< 


,  \n 


II 


J 


154  LIFE    AND   TIMES 

the  campaign  on  the  Niagara  could  not  fail  of  being 
most  joyously  received.  The  total  overthrow  of  the 
French  power  had  a  few  months  before  liberated  the 
whole  of  the  British  forces  in  Europe.  A  considera- 
ble portion  of  Lord  Wellington's  army,  flushed  with 
their  late  success  in  Spain,  had  arrived  in  Canada,  and 
were  actually  opposed  to  Brown  at  Chippewa,  while  all 
our  maritime  towns  were  threatened  by  Britain's  vic- 
torious armies,  whose  arrival  was  momentarily  expect- 
ed on  the  coast.  When  the  intelligence  of  the  stupen- 
dous events  in  Europe  was  iirst  received,  many  consoled 
themselves  with  the  idea,  that  the  magnanimity  of  Great 
Britain  would  freely  grant  in  her  prosperity,  what  they 
insisted  wo  never  could  force  from  her  in  her  adversity. 
Sincerely  taking  for  realities  the  pretexts  on  which  our 
neutral  rights  had  been  infringed,  they  thought  the  ques- 
tion of  impressment,  now  the  almost  single  subject  of 
dispute,  could  easily  be  amicably  arranged,  when  the 
affairs  of  the  world  were  so  altered  as  to  render  it  near- 
ly impossible  that  Great  Britain  could  ever  again  be 
reduced  to  the  necessity  of  "fighting  for  her  existence;" 
or,  at  all  events,  as  the  peace  of  Europe  had  effectually 
removed  the  cause,  and  as  the  American  government 
declined  insisting  on  a  formal  relinquishment  of  the 
practice,  no  difficulty  would  be  thrown  in  the  way  of  a 
general  and  complete  pacification  of  the  world. 

"This  illusion  was  soon  dissipated.  By  the  next  ad- 
vices from  Europe  it  was  learned,  that  the  cry  for  veu  - 
geance  upon  the  Americans  was  almost  unanimous 
throughout  the  British  empire.  The  president  was 
threatened  with  the  fate  of  Bonaparte,  and  it  was  said 
that  the  American  peace  ought  to  be  dictated  in  Wash- 
ington, as  that  of  Europe  had  b<?en  at  Paris.    Even  in 


OF    PATRICK    OA88 


150 


'parliament  the  idea  was  held  out  that  peace  ought  not 
to  be  thought  of  till  America  h'*i!  received  a  signal  pun- 
ishment, for  having  dare  I  to  declare  war  upon  them 
while  their  forces  were  engaged  in  "delivering  Europe" 
from  its  oppressor.  Tlic  comTnencement  of  thy  negoti- 
ations for  peace,  which  had  been  proposed  by  the  Brit- 
ish court,  was  suspended,  and  strenuous  etl'orts  were 
made  to  send  to  America  as  commanding  a  force  as  pos- 
sible. 

"Under  these  circumstances,  a  victory  gained  by  the 
raw  troops  of  America  over  the  veterans  of  Wellington, 
superior  in  numbers  to  the  victors,  upon  an  open  plain, 
and  upon  a  spot  chosen  by  the  British  general,  had  a 
most  beneficial  tendency,  by  dispelling  the  dread  which 
the  prowess  of  the  British  troops  in  Spain  could  not 
have  failed  to  have  produced  in  the  minds  of  their  op- 
ponents. This  battle  was  to  the  army  what  the  victory 
of  Captain  Hull  had  been  to  the  navy;  and  the  confi- 
dence which  it  inspired  was  surely  most  justly  founded, 
for  every  man  felt  that  the  victory  had  been  gained  by 
superior  skill  and  discipline:  it  was  not  the  fruit  of  any 
accidental  mistake  or  confusion  in  the  army  of  the  ene- 
my, or  of  one  of  those  movements  of  temporary  panic 
on  one  side,  or  excitement  on  the  other,  which  some- 
times gives  a  victory  to  irregular  courage  over  veteran 
and  disciplined  valour. 

"After  so  signal  a  defeat,  the  British  could  not  be 
induced  to  hazzard  another  engagement.  They  aban- 
doned their  works  at  Chippewa,  and  burning  their  bar- 
racks, retired  to  Fort  Niagara  and  fort  George,  closely 
followed  by  Brown.  Here  he  expected  to  receive  some 
heavy  guns  and  reinforcements  from  Sacketts's  Har- 
bour; but  on  the  23rd,  of  July  he  received  a  letter  by  ex- 


!   I 


ti 


11 


>.m 


156 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


press  from  general Gjiiiies,  advising  I.iiu  that  that  port 
was  blockaded  by  a  superior  T' itish  force,  and  that 
(Jommodon)  Chauncy  was  confined  to  bis  bed  with  a  fe- 
ver. Tiijs  disappointed  in  his  expectations  of  being  en- 
abled to  reduce  the  forts  at  the  nioutli  of  the  Niagara, 
Brown  determined  to  disencumber  the  army  of  baggage, 
and  march  directly  for  Burlington  iroights.  To  mask 
this  intention,  and  to  draw  from  Schiosser  a  small  snp- 
p'y  of  provisions,  he  fell  back  upon  ('hippowa. 

"About  noon  on  the  25th,  general  Brown  was  advis- 
ed by  an  express  from  Lowistown,  that  the  ijritish  were 
following  him,  and  wore  in  considerable  force  in  Queens- 
town  and  on  its  heights,  tha^  four  of  the  enemies  llect  had 
arrived  with  reinforcements  at  Niagara  during  the  pre- 
ceding night,  and  that  a  number  of  boats  were  in  view, 
moving  up  the  river.  Shoitly  after,  intelligence  was 
brought  that  the  enemy  were  landing  at  Lewistown, 
and  that  the  bagga^^eand  stores  at  Schiosser,  and  on  their 
way  thither,  were  in  danger  of  immediate  capture  In 
"order  to  recall  the  British  from  this  object,  Brown  deter- 
"raincd  to  put  the  army  in  motion  towards  Queonstown, 
and  accordini^flv  General  Scott  was  directed  to  advance 
with  the  first  brigade,  Towson's  artillery,  and  all  the 
dragoons  and  mounted  men,  with  orders  to  report  if  the 
enemy  appeared,  and  if  neccfisary  to  call  for  assistance. 
On  his  arrival  near  the  Falls,  Scott  learned  thr.i  the  en- 
emy was  in  force  directly  in  his  front,  a  nar)  ow  piece  of 
woods  alone  intercepting  his  view  of  them.  He  imme- 
diately advanced  upon  them,  after  dispatching  a  mos- 
Bonger  to  General  Brown  with  this  intelligence. 

The  reports  of  the  cannon  reached  General  Brown  be- 
fore the  messenger,  and  orders  were  instantly  issued  for 
General  Ripley  to  march  to  the  support  of  General  Soott, 


OF  PATRICK    (JA88. 


157 


the 
rice. 

1  on  - 

iie- 

lics- 

bc- 
Ifor 


with  the  second  brigarlo  and  all  the  artillery;  and  Brown 
himself,  repaired  with  all  speed  to  the  scone  of  action, 
whenoe  he  sent  orders  for  General  Porter  to  advance 
with  hifi  volunteers.  On  reaching  the  field  of  battle, 
General  Brown  found  that  Scott  had  passed  the  wood, 
and  engaged  the  enemy  on  tin  Queenstown  road  and  on 
the  ground  to  the  left  of  it,  with  the  Otli,  11th  and  22nd 
regiments,  and  Towson's  artillery,  the  25th  having 
been  thrown  to  the  right  to  be  governed  by  circum- 
stances. The  contest  was  close  and  desperate,  and  the 
American  troops,  far  inferior  in  numbers,  suffered  se- 
verely. 

"Meanwhihs  Major  Jessup,  who  commanded  the  25th 
regiment,  taking  advantage  of  a  fault  committed  by  the 
British  commander,  by  leaving  a  road  unguarded  on 
his  left,  threw  himself  promptly  into  the  rear  of  the 
enemy,  where  he  was  enaWed  to  operate  with  the  hap- 
piest effect.  'J1i(!  slaughter  was  dreadful;  the  enemy's 
line  fieci  down  the  road  at  the  third  or  fourth  fire.  The 
caj^ture  of  (Jeu.  Uiall  v.'ith  a  large  escort  of  ofticers  of 
rank,  was  part  of  the  trophies  of  Jessup's  intrepidity 
and  skill;  an  1,  but  for  the  impression  of  an  unfounde<{ 
report,  under  which  he  unfortunately  remained  for  a 
few  minutes;  Lieutenant  (JencMal  Drummond,  the  com- 
mander of  the  British  forces,  would  inevitably  have  fal- 
len into  his  hands,  an  event  which  would,  in  all  })roba- 
bility,  linve  completed  the  disaster  of  tlie  British  army. 
Drummond  was  completely  in  Jessup's  power;  but  be- 
ing confidently  infornixul  that  the  first  brigade  was  cut 
in  pieces,  and  linding  himself  with  less  tlian  oOO  men, 
and  without  any  prospect  of  support,  in  tlie  midst  of  an 
overwhelming  hostile  force,  he  thought  of  nothing  for 
the  moment,  but  to  make  aood  his  retreat,  and  save  his 


5I. 


if: 


i 


Mm 

ill 

in 

^^^ 

ifi 

V  If 

ill 

11 

u 

I 

158 


LIFE   AND    TIMES 


command.  Of  this  temporary  suspense  of  the  advance 
of  the  American  column,  General  Drummond  availed 
himselfto  make  his  escape.  Among  the  officers  cap- 
tured, was  one  ,of  General  Drummond's  aids -de-camp, 
who  had  been  dispatched  from  the  front  line  to  order  up 
the  reserve,  with  a  view  to  fall  on  S<;ott  with  the  con- 
centrated force  of  the  whole  army,  and  overwhelm  him 
at  a  single  effort.  Nor  would  it  have  been  possible  to 
prevent  this  catastrophe,  had  the  reserve  arrived  in  time,' 
the  force  with  which  General  Scott  woula  then  have 
been  obliged  to  contend  being  nearly  quadruple  that  of 
his  own.  By  the  fortunate  capture,  however,  of  the  Brit- 
ish aid-do-camp,  before  the  completion  of  the  service  on 
which  he  was  ordered,  the  reserve  was  not  brought 
into  action  until  the  arrival  of  General  Ripley's  brigade, 
which  prevented  the  disaster  which  must  otherwise  have 
ensued. 

"Though  the  second  brigade  pressed  forward  with  the 
greatest  ardour,  the  battle  had  raged  for  an  hour  before 
it  could  arrive  on  the  field,  by  which  time  it  was  nearly 
dark.  The  enemy  fell  back  on  its  approach.  In  order 
to  disengage  the  exhausted  troops  of  the  first  brigade, 
the  fresh  troops  were  ordered  to  pass  Scott's  line,  and 
display  in  front,  a  movement  which  was  immediately 
executed  by  Ripley.  Meanwhile  the  enemy,  being  i^con- 
noitered,  was  found  to  have  taken  a  new  position,  and 
occupied  a  height  with  his  artillery,  supported  by  a  lino 
of  infantry,  which  gave  him  great  advantage,  it  being 
the  key  to  the  whole  position.  To  secure  the  victory, 
it  was  necessary  to  carry  his  artillery  and  seize  the 
height.  For  this  purpose  the  second  brigade  advanced 
upon  the  Queenstown  road,  and  the  first  regiment  of  in- 
fantry, which  had  arrived  that  day,  and  was  attached  to 


OP    PATRICK    QAS9. 


159 


■:«i 


the 

ore 

rly 

der 

,de, 
nd 

,ely 

on- 
,nd 
ino 

Ithe 
;ed 

lin- 
to 


neither  of  the  brigades,  was  formed  in  a  line  facing  the 
enemy's  on  the  height,  with  a  view  of  dravving  his  fire 
and  attracting  his  attention,  as  the  second  brigade  ad- 
vanced on  his  left  flank  to  carry  his  artillery. 

'Assoon  as  the  first  regiment  approached  its  posi- 
tion, colonel  Miller  was  ordered  to  advance  with  the 
21st  regiment,  and  carry  the  artillery  on  the  height, 
with  the  bayonet.  The  first  regiment  gave  way  under 
the  fire  of  the  enemy;  but  Miller,  undaunted  by  this  oc- 
currence, advanced  steadily  and  gallantly  to  his  object, 
and  carried  the  heights  and  cannon  in  a  masterly  style. 
General  Ripley  followed  on  the  right  with  the  23d  reg- 
iment. It  had  some  desperate  fighting,  which  caused 
it  to  falter,  but  it  was  promptly  rdlied,  and  brought  up. 

"The  enemy  being  now  driven  from  their  command- 
ing ground,  the  whole  brigade  with  the  volunteers  and 
artillery,  and  the  first  regiment,  which  had  been  ral- 
lied, wore  formed  in  line,  with  the  captured  cannon,  nine 
pieces  in  the  rear.  Here  they  were  soon  joined  by  Maj. 
Jessup,  with  the  25th,  the  regiment  that  had  acted 
with  such  effect  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy's  left.  In  this 
situation  the  American  troops  withstood  three  distinct 
<lesperate  attacks  of  the  enemy,  who  had  rallied  his  bro- 
ken corps,  and  received  reinforcements.  In  each  of 
them  he  was  repulsed  with  great  slaughter,  so  near  be- 
ing his  approach,  that  the  buttons  of  the  men  were  dis- 
tinctly seen  through  the  darkncas  by  the  flash  of  the 
muskets,  and  many  prisoners  were  taken  at  the  point  of, 
the  bayonet,  principally  by  Porter's  volunteers.  Du- 
ring the  second  attack  General  Scott  was  ordered  up 
who  had  been  held  in  reserve  with  three  of  his  battal- 
ions, from  the  moment  of  Ripley's  arrival  on  the  field. 
Duiingthe  third  effort  of  the  enemy,  the  direction  of 


I 


f 


t 


I  mi 


t,  V  _., 


1«)0 


LIFE    A?<D    TIMES 


Scott's  column  would  have  enabled  him  in  a  ffevr  min- 
utes, to  have  formed  line  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy;? 
right,  and  thus  have  brought  him  between  two  fires. — 
But  a  ilank  fire  from  a  concealed  party  of  the  enemy 
falling  upon  the  centre  of  Scott's  command,  completely 
frustrated  this  intention.  His  column  was  severed  in 
two;  one  part  passing  to  the  rear,  the  other  by  the  right 
flank  of  platoons  towards  Jviplcy's  main  line. 

"l^his  was  the  last  effort  of  the  British  to  regain  their 
position  and  artillery,  the  American  troops  being  left 
in  quiet  possession  of  the  field.  It  was  now  nearly 
midnight,  and  Generals  Brown  and  Scott  being  both 
iieveroly  wounded,  and  all  the  troops  much  exhausted, 
the  command  was  given  to  ^General  Ripley,  and  he 
was  instructed  to  return  to  camp,  bringing  with  him  the 
wounded  and  the  artillery. 

"Gen.  Ivipley  hay  been  much  blamed  for  the  non  cxo- 
nition  of  this  order,  by  which  the  captured  cannon 
Again  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British.  Gen.  Brown, 
in  his  oflicial  report  says,  'To  this  order  ho  (Ripley) 
matie  [no  objection,  and  I  veiled  upon  its  execution. — 
It  was  not  executed.'  On  the  part  of  Gen.  Ripley  it 
is  stated,  that  his  orders  were,  in  case  an  enemy  appear- 
ed! in  force,  'to  be  governed  entirely  by  circumstances.' 
f.li«  orders,  therefore,  were  executed.  At  daybreak  the 
army  was  arranged  and  the  march  commenced,  when 
circumstances  of  the  most  positive  nature  were  made 
apparent,  such  as  must  have  been  in  view  in  the  di.s- 
f-retionary  part  of  the  order,  and  in  the  full  effect  of 
which  General  Ripley  commenced  and  effected  the  re- 
treat whicli  afterwards  led  him  to  Fort  Erie.  The 
troops,  reduced  to  less  than  IGOO  men,  were  marched 
<ni  the  2Gthby  Gcr.  Ripley  toward  the  field  of  battle. 


or  PATRTCK    c;as8 


161 


Motion  was  commenced  at  day-break,  but  diriici.ities  in- 
cidental to  tlic  late  losses  })revented  the  advance  before 
some  time  had  been  spent  in  rcorgani".ation  and  ar- 
rangement. The  line  of  march  being  assumed  r.r^d  th« 
Chippewa  crossed,  Gen.  Ki])lev  sent  forward  Lieuten- 
ants Tappan  of  the  2od,  and  Jvidilie  of  the  ir)th,  with 
their  respective  commands,  to  leconnoitre  the  enemy'* 
position,  strength  and  movements.  On  examination, 
he  was  found  in  advance  of  liis  former  position,  on  an 
emiiionce,  strongly  reinforced,  as  had  been  asserted  by 
prisoners  taken  the  preceding  evening;  his  Hanks  res- 
ting on  a  wood  on  one  side,  and  on  the  river  on  tho 
other,  defied  being  turned  or  driven  in;  liis  artillery 
was  planted  so  as  to  sweep  the  road;  besides  these  ad- 
vantages, he  extended  a  line  nearly  double  in  length  to 
that  which  could  be  displayed  by  our  troops.  To  at- 
tack with  two-thirds  tho  Ibrce  of  the  i)reccding  even- 
ing an  enemy  thus  increased,  was  an  act  of  madness 
that  the  first  thought  rejected.  The  army  was  kept  in 
the  field  and  in  .motion  long  enough  to  be  assui'ed  of 
the  strength  and  position  of  the  enemy;  that  informa- 
tion being  confirmed,  there  remained  but  one  course  to 
prevent  that  enemy  from  impeding  a  retreat,  which, 
had  he  been  vigilant,  he  would  previously  have  pre- 
vented. Tiie  army,  therefore,  immeiliately  retrogaded, 
and  the  retreat  received  tho  sanction  of  General  Brown, 
previous  to  his  crossing  tlie  Niagara.  ;. 

The  American  official  account  states  their  loss  in  tliis 
battle  at  171  killed,  57-i  wounded,  and  117  missing; 
the  return  of  British  prisoners  presents  an  aggregate 
of  169,  including  Major  General  Kiall,  ami  a  Tiumbor 
of  ollScers.  The  British  state  their  loss  to  be  84  killed, 
.059  wounded,  li)3  missing;  their  loss  in  prisoners*  tliey 


■,  f : 


it. 


1 


162 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


stated  at  only  41.  Major-General  Brown  and  Brigadier 
General  Scott  were  among  the  wounded  of  the  Amer- 
icans, and  Lieutenant  General  Drummond  and  Major 
General  Riall  among  those  of  the  British. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  British  before  Fort  Erie,  they 
perceived  that  the  opportunity  was  lost  of  carrying  the 
American  works  by  a  coup-de-main.  Driving  in  the 
pickets,  therefore,  they  made  a  regular  investment  of 
the  place.  The  following  day.  General  Gaines  arrived 
from  Sackett's  Harbor,  and  being  senior  in  rank  assu- 
med the  conimand.  On  the  6tli.,  the  rifle  corps  was 
sent  to  endeavor  to  draw  out  the  enemy,  in  order  to 
try  his  strength.  Their  orders  were,  to  pass  through 
the  intervening  woods,  to  amuse  the  British  light  troops 
until  their  strong  columns  should  get  in  motion,  when 
they  should  retire  slowly  to  the  plain,  where  a  strong 
line  was  posted  in  readiness  to  receive  the  enemy.  The 
riflemen  accordingly  met  and  drove  the  light  troops  in- 
to their  lines,  but  although  they  kept  the  wood  nearly 
two  hours,  they  were  unable  to  draw  any  part  of  the  en- 
emy's force  after  them.  The  British  left  eleven  killed 
and  three  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  the  riflemen;  but 
their  loss  was  supposed  to  be  much  more  considerable. 
The  loss  of  the  riflemen  was  five  killed  and  three  or  four 
wounded. 

The  main  camp  of  the  British  was  planted  about  two 
miles  distant.  In  front  of  it,  they  threw  up  a  partial 
oircumvallation,  extending  around  the  American  forti- 
fications. This  consisted  of  two  lines  of  entrenchment, 
supported  by  block-houses;  in  front  of  these,  at  favor- 
able points,  batteries  were  erected,  one  of  which  enfila- 
ded the  American  works. 

"The  American  position  was  on  the  margin  of  lake 


OF    PATRICK    OA88. 


16a 


en- 
lled 
but 
3le. 
■our 


'or- 
Lla- 

ake 


Krie,  at  the  entrance  of  the  Niagara  river,  on  nearly  a 
horizontal  plain,  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  above  the  surface 
of  the  water,  possessing  few  natural  advantages.  It 
had  been  strengthened  in  front  by  temporary  parapet 
breast-works,  entrenchments,  and  abbatis,  with  two 
batteries  and  six  field-pieces.  The  small  unfinished 
fort,  Erie,  with  a  24,  18,  and  12  pounder,  formed  the 
northeast,  and  the  Douglas  battery,  with  an  18  and  0 
pounder  near  the  edge  of  the  lake,  the  south-east  angle 
on  the  right.  The  left  was  defended  by  a  redoubt  bat- 
tery with  six  field-pieces,  jnst  thrown  up  on  a  small 
ridge.  The  rear  was  left  open  to  the  lake,  bordered  by 
a  rocky  shore  of  easy  ascent.  The  battery  on  the  left 
was  defended  by  Captain  Towson;  fort  Erie  by  Captain, 
Williams,  with  Major  Trimble's  command  of  the  19th 
infantry;  the  batteries  on  the  front  by  Captains  Biddle 
and  Fanning;  the  whole  of  the  artillery  commanded  by 
Major  Hindman.  Parts  of  the  9th,  llth,  and  22d  in- 
fantry, were  posted  on  the  right  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant-colonel  Aspinwall.  General  Ripley's  brig- 
ade, consisting  of  the  21st  and  23d,  defended  the  left. 
General  Porter's  brigade  of  New  York  and  Pennsylva- 
nia volunteers,  with  the  riflemen,  occupied  the  centre. 
"During  the  13th  and  14th,  the  enemy  kept  up  a  brisk 
cannonade,  which  was  sharply  returned  from  the  Amer- 
ican batteries,  without  any  considerable  loss.  One  of 
their  shells  lodged  in  a  small  magazine,  in  fort  Erie, 
which  was  almost  empty.  It  blew  up  with  an  explosion 
more  awful  in  appearance  than  injurious  in  its  effects, 
as  it  did  not  disable  a  man  or  derange  a  gun.  A  mo- 
mentary cessation  of  the  thunders  of  the  artillery  took 
place  on  both  sides.  This  was  followed  by  a  loud  and 
joyous  shout  by  the  British  army,  which  was  instantly 


H^ 


i04 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


^'  . 


.,   T 


::   ' 


I  f.'. 


roturnod  on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  wlio,  amidst  thr 
«mokc  of  tlic  cxpkjsion,  renewed  tlie  contest  vy  an  ani- 
mated roar  of  the  heavy  cannon. 

'•J''rom  the  supposed  loss  ofamnumition,  and  the  con- 
sequent depression  such  an  event  was  likely  to  produce, 
(;loneral  Gaines  felt  persuaded  that  this  explosion  would 
lead  the  enemy  to  assault,  and  made  his  arrantcemeuty 
accordingly.  These  suspicions  were  fully  veriiied,  by 
an  attack  that  was  made  in  the  night  between  the  14tb 
and  15th  of  August.  '      - 

"The  night  was  dark,  and  the  early  part  of  it  rain- 
ing, but  nevertheless  one  third  of  the  troops  were  kept 
at  their  posts.  At  half  past  two  o'clock,  the  riglit  col- 
Tininof  the  enemy  approached,  and  though  enveloped  in 
darkness,  was  distinctly  heard  on  the  American  left, 
and  promptly  marked  by  the  musketry  under  majors 
Wood  .and  captain  Towson.  lieing  mounted  at  tlie 
moment,  Gaines  repaired  to  the  point  of  attack,  where 
the  sheet  of  lire  rolling  from  Towson's  battery,  and  the 
musketry  of  the  left  wing,  enabled  him  to  see  the  ene- 
my's column  of  about  1500  men  approaching  on  that 
point;  his  advance  was  not  checked  until  it  had  ap- 
proached within  ten  feet  of  the  infantry.  A  line  of  loose 
bruwh,  representing  an  abattis,  only  intervened;  a  col- 
umn of  the  enemy  attempted  to  pass  round  the  abattis, 
through  the  water,  where  it  was  nearly  breast-deep. — 
Apjirehending  that  this  point  would  be  carried,  Gaines 
ordered  a  detachment  of  riflemen  and  infantry  to  its 
support,  but  at  this  moment  the  enemy  were  repulsed. 
They  instantly  renewed  the  charge,  and  were  again  driv- 
en back. 

"On  the  right,  the  fire  of  cannon  and  musketry  an- 
nounced the  approach  of  the  centre  and  left  columns  of 


1; 


OP   PATRICK    GA88. 


IG5 


tho  onomy,  under  Colonels  Drummoml  and  Seott. — 
The  latter  was  received  and  repulsed  by  the  9tli,  under 
the  command  of  Captain  Foster,  and  Ca])tains  Bou^'h- 
ton  and  Harding's  companies  of  New  York  and  Ponn- 
gylvania  volunteers,  aided  by  a  six  pounder,  judiciously 
posted  by  Major  ]M'Keo,  cliief  eni;-in"er. 

But  the  centre,  led  by  Colonel  Drummond,  was  not 
long  kept  in  check;  it  approached  at  once  every  assaila- 
ble point  of  the  fort,  and  with  scaling  huldcrs  ascended 
the  parapet,  where,  however,  it  was  repulsed  with 
dreadful  carnage.  The  assault  was  twice  repeated  and 
as  often  checked;  but  the  enemy  having  moved  around 
in  the  ditch,  covered  by  darkness,  increased  by  tho 
heavy  cloud  of  smoke  which  had  rolled  from  the  can- 
non and  musketry,  repeated  the  charge,  re-ascended  tho 
ladders,  and  with  their  pikes,  bayonets  and  spears  fell 
upon  the  American  artillerists,  and  succeeded  in  cap- 
turing the  bastion.  Lieutenant  M'Donough,  beingse- 
verely  wounded,  demanded  quarter.  It  was  refused  by 
Colonel  Drummond.  The  Lieutenant  then  seized  a 
handspike,  and  nobly  defended  himself  until  he  was 
shot  down  with  a  pistol  by  the  monster  who  had  refu- 
sed him  quarter,  who  often  reiterated  the  order — "give 
the  damned  yankees  no  quarter."  This  officer,  whose 
bravery,  if  it  had  been  seasoned  with  virtue,  would 
have  entitled  him  to  the  admiration  of  every  soldier — 
this  hardened  murderer  soon  met  his  fate.  He  was 
shot  through  tho  breast,  while  repeating  the  order  "to 
give  no  quarter." 

Several  gallant  attempts  were  made  to  recover  tho 
right  bastion,  but  all  proved  unsuccessful.  At  this 
moment  every  operation  was  arrested  by  the  explosion 
©f  game  cartridges  deposited  in  the  end  of  the  stone  buil- 


it  d 


'I ; 


1'!:  J 


3  , 


166 


LIFE   AND    T1ME8 


ding  adjoining  the  contested  bastion.  The  explosion 
%vas  tremendous  and  decisive;  th-i  bastion  was  restored 
by  the  flight  of  the  British.  At  this  moment  Captain 
Biddle  was  ordered  to  cause  a  field  piece  to  be  posted  so 
^8  to  enfilade  the  exterior  plain  and  salient  glacis. — 
Though  not  recoverefl  from  a  severe  contusion  in  the 
shoulder,  received  from  one  of  the  enemy's  shells.  Bid- 
die  promptly  took  his  position,  and  sci  ved  his  field- 
piece  with  vivacity  and  effect.  Captain  Fannings  bat- 
tery likewise  j^layed  upon  them  at  this  time  with  great 
oflect.  The  enemy  were  in  a  few  momonts  entirely  de- 
feated, taken  or  put  to  flight,  leaving  on  the  field  221 
killed,  174  wounded,  and  180  prisoners,  including  14 
officers  killed  and  7  wounded  and  prisoners.  A  large 
portion  were  severely  wounded;  the  s'ightly  wounded, 
it  is  presumed  were  carried  off. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  during  the  assault  was 
seventeen  killed,  fifty-six  wounded,  and  11  missing. 
The  British  accounts  acknowledge  only  57  killed, 
309  wounded,  and  539  missing.  During  the  pre- 
ceding bombardment,  the  loss  of  the  Americans  was  7 
killed,  19  severely  and  17  slightly  wounded.  The  loss 
of  the  British  is  not  mentioned  in  their  official  account. 
This  bombardment  commenced  at  sun-rise  on  the  mor- 
ning of  the  13th,  and  continued  without  intermission 
till  8  o'clock  P.  M.;  recommenced  on  the  14th,  at  day 
light,  with  increased  warmth;  and  did  not  end  until  an 
hour  before  commencement  of  the  assault  on  the  morn- 
ing of the  15th. 

A  short  time  after  the  assaulton  Fort  Erie,  General 
Gaines  received  a  serious  wound  from  the  bursting  of 
a  shell,  by  which  means  the  command  once  more  de- 
volved on  General  Ripley,  till  tlie   2d  of  September, 


OF    PATRICK    OASfl. 


167 


when  the  sta^o  of  his  health  allowed  Gen.   Brown  again 
to  place  himself  at  the  head  of  his  army. 

The  troops  in  Fort  Erie  bej^an  now  to  be  generally 
considered  as  in  a  critical  situation,  anl  much  solici- 
tude to  be  oxpressod  for  the  fate  of  the  army  that  hail 
thrown  so  much  glory  on  the  American  name,  menaced 
as  it  was  in  front  by  an  enemy  of  superior  torce,  whose 
numbers  were  constantly  receiving  additions  and  whose 
batteries  every  day  becoming  more  formidable,  while 
a  river  of  difficult  passage  lay  on  their  rear.  Reinforee- 
ir.onts  were  ordered  on  from  Champlain,  but  they  were 
yet  far  distant.  But  the  genius  of  Brown  was  fully 
equal  to  the  contingency,  and  the  difficulties  with  which 
he  was  environed  served  only  to  add  to  the  number  of 
his  laurels. 

"Though  frequent  skirmishes  occurred  about  this  pe. 
riod,  in  which  individual  gallantry  was  amply  display- 
ed, yet  no  event  of  material  consequence  to<<k  j)lace 
till  the  17th  of  September,  when  having  suffered  much 
from  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  and  aware  that  a 
new  one  was  about  to  be  opened,  General  Brown  re- 
solved on  a  sortie  in  order  to  effect  their  destruction. — 
The  British  Infantry  at  this  time  consisted  of  three  bri- 
gades, of  V2  or  1500  men  each,  one  of  which  was  sta- 
tioned at  the  works  in  front  of  Fort  Erie,  the  other  two 
occupied  their  camp  behind.  Brown's  intention  there- 
fore was,  to  storm  the  batteries,  destroy  the  cannon, 
and  roughly  handle  the  brigade  upon  duty,  before  those 
in  reserve  could  be  brought  into  action, 

"On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  the  infantry  and  rifle- 
men, regulars  and  militia,  were  ordered  to  be  paraded 
and  put  in  readiness  to  march  precisely  at  12  o'clock. 
General  Porter  with  the   volunteers.  Colonel  Gibson 


>  '1 1 


'  !■ 


t  I 


0. 


1.'- 


:il' 


\ ; 


Hi 


ics 


MFK    AND    TIMK3 


with  tlio  riflomon,  ami  Major  Uroftks  with  the  2'>(laml 
1st  infantry,  and  a  low  dragoons  acting  as  infantry, 
W(!ro  ordered  to  move  from  tlio  extreme  left  upon  the 
enemy's  right,  hy  a  [lussago  opened  through  the  woods 
for  the  occasion.  (Jencral  IMilhjr  was  directed  to  sta- 
tion his  command  in  tlie  ravine  between  Fort  Kricand 
thu  enemy's  batteries,  by  passing  tliem  by  detachment 
through  tiie  skirts  of  tlio  wood — and  the  21st  infantry 
under  (Jeneral  liipley  vras  posted  as  a  corj)s  of  reserve 
between  the  new  bast  ions  of  b'ort  Erie — all  under  cov- 
er, and  out  of  the  view  of  the  enemy. 

''The  left  column,  under  the  command  of  General 
Porter,  which  was  destined  to  turn  the  enemv's  ricrht, 
having  arrived  near  the  British  intrcnchnients,  were  or- 
dered to  advance  and  commence  the  action,  Tas'sing 
down  the  ravine,  Brown  judged  from  the  report  of  the 
musketry  that  the  action  had  commenced.  Hastening, 
therefore,  to  General  Miller,  ho  directed  him  to  seize 
tl  e  moment  and  pierce  the  enemy's  intrenchmeuiS  be- 
tween batteries  No.  2  and  15.  These  orders  were  prompt- 
ly and  ably  executed.  Within  80  minutes  after  the 
first  gun  v  as  fired,  batteries  No.  2  and  3,  tlie  enemy's 
line  of  entrenchments,  and  his  two  block-houses,  were  in 
possession  of  the  Americans, 

Soon  after,  battery  No.  1  was  abandoned  by  the  Brit- 
ish, The  guns  were  then  spiked  or  otherwise  destroyed 
and  the  magazine  of  No.  3  was  blown  up. 

A  few  minutes  before  the  explosion,  the  reserve  had 
been  ordered  up  under  General  liipley,  and  as  soon  as 
he  arrived  on  the  ground,  he  was  ordered  to  strengthen 
the  front  line,  which  was  then  engaged  with  the  enemy 
in  arder  to  protect  the  detachments  employed  in  demol- 
ishing the  captured  worka.     While   forming    arrange- 


!    f^ 


OF   PATUIt  K    0A»«. 


1(11) 


n\ents  for  actinpj  on  the  eni'iny's  cump  during  the  uu>- 
meat  of  panic,  liipley  rocelvcil  a  severe  wouiul.  By 
this  time,  however,  the  object  ot  the  sortie  being  acconi- 
plishcil  beyond  tiie  most  sanguine  expectations,  Gener- 
al Miller  had  ordered  the  troops  on  the  right  to  fall 
back,  and  observing  this  nioveniont,  Brown  sent  his 
titalf  along  the  line  to  call  in  the  other  corps.  Within 
11  few  minutes  thev  retired  from  the  ravine,  and  thence 
to  the  carnj). 

"Thus,  says  ( Jcneral  Brown,  in  his  dispatch,  l.UOO 
regulars  and  an  ('([ual  portion  of  militia,  in  one  hour 
of  close  action,  blasted  the  hopes  of  the  enemy,  de- 
stroyed tiie  fruits  of  fifty  day's  labor,  and  diminished 
his  effective  force  1000  men  at  least. 

"In  their  otlicial  account  of  this  sortie, the  British  {)ub- 
lished  no  returns  of  their  loss,  but  from  the  vigorous 
resistance  it  must  no  doubt  have  been  great.  Thcii 
loss  in  pc^oners  was  385.  On  the  part  of  the  Amer- 
icans the  killed  amounted  to  88,  the  wounded  to  210, 
and  the  missing  to  a  like  number. 

"A  few  days  after  this  battle  the  British  raised  the 
siege,  anil  retreated  behind  the  Chippewa.  Meanwhile, 
the  reinforcements  fruu:  Plattsburg  arrived  at  Sackett's 
Harbour,  and  after  a  few  days  rest  proceeded  to  the 
Niagara.  They  crossed  that  river  on  the  ninth  of  Oc- 
tober, when  General  Izard,  being  the  senior  ofhcer,  su- 
porceded  General  Brown  in  command.  On  the  14th, 
the  arnjy  moved  from  fort  Erie,  ^vith  the  u.sign  of 
bringing  the  enemy  to  action.  An  attempt  was  made 
to  dispute  the  passage  of ii  creek  at  Chippewa  plains, 
but  the  American  artillery  soon  compelled  the  enemy 
to  retire  to  their  fortified  camp,  when  attempts  were  re- 
peatedly made  to  draw  them  out  the  following  day,  but- 


170 


LIFE    AND   TIMES 


•1 

mi: 
Mb 
p-1 


'■: 


ll 


il 


1!*: 


without  effect.  A  partial  engagement  took  place  on  the 
15th,  which  closed  the  campaign  on  this  poninsnla. 

"Thus  ended  a  third  campaign  in  Upper  (\inada, 
without  a  single  important  c^nrpcst  being  secured.— 
The  operations  of  the  army  under  Brown,  hoAvever,  ar«^ 
not  to  be  considered  as  worthless  and  inenicient.  'J'hov 
have,  in  the  most  complete  manner  eflaced  the  stain 
thrown  on  the  army  by  the  inibecile  efforts  of  its  infan- 
cy, and  have  cast  a  lustre  on  the  American  name,  by  a 
series  of  the  most  brilliant  victories,  over  troops  here- 
tofore considered  matchless.  Nor  ought  we  to  lose 
sight  of  the  eflect  produced  by  these  events  on  the 
ccTintry  at  large,  actively  engaged  as  was  almost  evc"y 
citizen,  in  repelling  or  preparing  to  repel,  the  invaders 
of  their  homes." 

We  have  preferred  to  give  the  history  of  this  cam- 
paign thus  from  a  contemporary  source*  rather  tlian 
undertake  to  present  the  same  facts  in  different  words, 
and  perhaps,  inadvertently,  be  guilty  of  inaccuracy. — 
This  account  is  fortified  by  official  documents,  and  may 
be  relied  upon  as  correct. 

At  the  time  of  the  battle,  Mr.  Gass,  belonged  to  ihe 
first  regiment,  under  command  of  Col.  Nicholls;  but 
at  the  time  of  the  attack  on  the  British  batteries  was 
attached  to  the  gallant  21st,  under  Col.  Miller.  Accor- 
ding to  his  recollection  of  the  spot,  after  a  lapse  of  for- 
ty years,  a  gentle  slope  rises  within  some  300  yards  of 
the  Cataract  of  Niagara,  to  the  height  of  perliaps  200 
feet,  with  a  steep  declivity  at  the  side  next  the  Falls.— =• 
Skirting  this  declivity,  there  was  a  narrow  road  oi^rath- 

»By  anoversight  discovered  too  late  in  the  process  of  printing  to  be  cor 
reeled,  the  foregoing  accounts"  the  campaign  on  the  Jfiagara  frontier,  is  ered 
tied  to  Nile K'lleeister.     It  should  Lave  been  to  the  "Historical  KogiBter  wf 
the  United  Statea,"  edited  by  T.  H.  I' aimer,  1810.    Vol.  4.  page  14. 


11 


OP    PATUICK    QASS 


171 


but 

was 

3Cor- 

for- 

s  of 

200 

Is.— =• 

rath- 


|ti  cor 

ered 
fcter  \>( 


■iT  by- path.     Ascending  tlie  slope  was  another,  more 
travelled  road,  fenced  in  on  Loth  sides,  with  a  large  red 
frame  church  on  one  side  of  it,  at  the  bottom  of  the  hill. 
This  road  was  known  as  Lundy's  Lane.     After  attain- 
ing the  top  of  the  ascent,  the  country  was  more  level 
but  rolling,  and  with  patches  of  timber  interspersed. — 
Tho  liritish  jjattery  was  located  at  the  top   of  the  hill, 
.icross  the  lane;  and  effectually  commanding  the  entire 
ground,  cut  off  the  advance  of  t^  ■  Americans,  and  left 
them  exposed  to  the  flank  attacks  of  the  British.     Thi« 
being  the  position  of  affairs,  it  was  absolutely  necessa- 
ry to  the  Americans  that  the  British  should  be  driven 
from  the  position.     Mr.  Gass  distinctly  recollects  of  th« 
n-iomorabje  saying  of  Col.  Miller,  -'I  will  try,  sir,"  when 
ordered  by  Gen.  Ripley  on  the  perilous  task  of  its  cap- 
ture, being  of  common  report  at  the  time,  and  vouchet 
fo'-  its  authenticity.     The  day  had  been  warm  and  some- 
what cloudy  toward  evening,  but  all  Avascalm  and  surn- 
nier-like, — the  monotonous  roar  of  the  cataract  so  near 
at  hand,  drowning  all   meaner  sounds,   mingling  with 
the  thunder  of  tlie  artillery,  and  overtopping  the  demo- 
niac sounds  of  war.     For  one  hour,  Scott's  Brigade  had 
borne  with  unll  inching   resolution,   the   storm  of  iron 
hailed  upon  tiioui  by  the  battery;  but  it  soon  became 
apparent  that  ihe  British  must  be  dislodged  or  the  daj 
be  lost.     By  this   time,  it  was  after  seven  in  the  even- 
ing,— the  clouds  had  rolled  away,  and  the  midsummci 
moon  nearly  in  its  fall,  poured  a  liood  of  light  over  the 
battle-field.     Silently  and  steadily  the  com  mand  of  Col. 
Miller,  drawn  up  in  line  but  two  men  deep,  marched  np 
to  the  foot  of  the  lane,  the  red  church  protecting  them 
from  the  grape  of  the  artillery;  then,  without  a  bah  or 
ii  waver,  they  advanced  rapidly  up  the  hill,  with  bajro- 


m 


r  i 


172 


LIFE    A^T)    TIMER 


chi 


th 


Hying 


tlieir  head.' 


nets  at  a  charge,  the  grapo  Hying  over  tlieir  heads  in  a 
liarmloss  storm,  until  thoy  gained  the  very  muzzles  of 
tlio  pieces,  Tlien,  says  Mr.  ( niss,  came  a  blast  of  lijiiiK. 
and  smoke,  as  if  from  the  crater  of  liell,  and  they  were 
among  tlio  (^nemy, — hand  to  liand — bayonet  to  l)ayonet 
— and  steel  dashing  on  stool,  in  the  close  and  murder- 
ous condict.  The  fiii'ht  was  but  for  a  moment.  "Chartre 
the  gray  backit  militia: — tlioy  cannot  stand  the  bayo- 
net,'* shouted  their  Scottish  commander,  but  in  one  mo- 
ment tlie  British  were  put  to  iliglit  and  tlie  taunt  was 
falsified  on  his  very  lips.  Then  was  heard  tlie  com- 
mand of  the  gallant  Miller,  "halt  and  form."  The  or- 
der was  hardly  executed,  ere  the  British  were  back  up- 
on them  like  a  whirlwind,  and  then  ensued  the  hardest 
of  the  light.  Three  several  times,  they  made  the  assault 
and  were  as  often  repulsed.  The  British  guns,  at  last 
were  turned  upon  their  former  owners  and  sullenly  and 
doggedly  they  were  forced  to  retire  from  tlie  Held.  Un(; 
of  the  pieces  of  cannon,  says  Mr.  Gass,  in  order  to 
show  the  locality  of  the  battery  was  trundled  ov(jr  the 
bank  and  down  into  the  Falls.  In  narrating  his  per- 
sonal experience,  he  says  that  the  al'Jair  was  so  rapid 
that  he  hardly  had  time  for  a  distinct  idea,  until  it  was 
over;  but  that  in  marching  up  to  the  battery,  he  felt  as 
he  expresses  it^  "d — d  bashful."  We  have  assurance, 
however,  that  his  modesty  soon  wore  off.  A  ball  thro' 
the  hat,  thanks  to  his  shortness  of  stature,  was  the  only 
mark  of  merit  he  received  in  this  encounter.  The  prin 
cipal  carnage  took  place  after  the  battery  was  captured; 
the  artillery  being  aimed  so  high,  as  to  dc  but  little  ex- 
ecution in  the  thin  column  of  advancing  Americans. — 
The  hand  to  hand  light  over  the  guns  is  said  to  have 
been  terrific,  and  the  bloodiest  ever  fought  on  the  Aracr 


OF    PATRTCK    GASS. 


11*'' 


ican  continent,  considering  the  number  of  men  engaged 
and  the  number  of  the  slain.  The  dead  were  literally 
piled  in  heaps.  Blue  uniforms  and  red,  promiscuous- 
ly mingled  in  the  ghastly  piles,  and  the  hand  palsied 
by  death,  still  held  the  musket  \vith  its  bayonet  sheath- 
ed in  the  bosom  of  the  foe;  and  the  kindred  blood  ot 
Briton  and  American  mingled  in  one  red  stain  upon  the 
sodden  earth.  It  was  indeed  a  scene  of  terrible  slaugh- 
ter. 

From  ()  to  11  P.  M.,  the  battle  raged  about  this  con- 
tested sjjot;  the  placid  moon  looking  down  upon  the 
ueligerent  hosts,  and  the  stars  like  reproving  angels, 
beholding  the  wild  passions  of  man,  thus  mocking  na- 
ture's thunder  with  his  infernal  din. 

Pursuit  was  impossible,  after  the  retreat  of  the  Brit- 
ish; and  the  American's  held  possession  of  the  ground 
for  some  time;  until  seeing  that  nothing  was  to  be  ac- 
complished b}'  holding  this  now  barren  position,  they 
retired  in  good  order  to  Fort  Eric. 

The  particulars  of  the  siege  of  Fort  Erie  and  the  sor- 
ties made  by  the  Americans  have  already  been  related; 
but  an  incident  occurred  at  the  memorable  sortie  of 
the  17th  August,  that  shows  the  character  of  "Hergeant 
(jiass"  to  a  striking  advantage.  To  each  company  was 
attached  men  whose  duty  it  was  to  carry  a  supply  of 
rat-tail  files  and  a  hammer  with  which  to  spike  such 
cannon  of  the  enemy  as  they  should  be  so  fortunate  as 
to  capture,  Sergeant  Gass,  was  intrusted  with  tkis 
responsible  duty,  by  Capt.  Denman,  in  whose  compa- 
ny he  served,  and  on  one  occasion  having  taken  a  small 
British  battery,  the  Americans  were  marching  off  their 
prisoners,  when  Denman  despatched  the  Sergeant  to 
•Gen.  Brown,  who  was  standing  on  a  log,  some  yards 


1T4 


LIFR    AND    TIMRS 


liii  '• 


from  tho  spot  to  cnqiiiro  whothor  h<'  slioiild  doatrov 
somo '24  pomnlors.  "Destroy  tlicm.  Sergeant,"  saiil 
Thrown,  "\v(»  don't  know  liow  loni' tliey'll  be  ours." — 
Patrick  says  lio  slapped  in  tlio  rat  (ail  files  and  drove 
tlieni  home;  wliile  some  "(all  yankoes  from  York  State" 
sledged  off  the  trunnions  from  the  pieees  with  a  niar- 
vollously  good  will.  The  selection  for  Siich  a  duty  re- 
quiring coolness  and  bravery,  is  a  liigh  compliment  to 
tlio  Sergeant,  and  shows  the  estimation  in  wliich  ho 
stood  among  his  comrades  and  «fticers. 

Fort  Eric  was  occupied  by  the  Americans  until  the 
close  of  the  campaign,  when  it  was  destroyed  and  tlio 
army  prepared  to  spend  the  Avintcr  at  Buffalo  and  otlier 
points.  Mr.  Gass,  under  Gen.  Winder,  passed  the 
winter  at  Sackett's  ITarbor.  Having  passed  tlie  win- 
t*)r  hero,  without  extraordinary  incident,  he  was  dis- 
charged from  tlie  service  in  Juno  1815,  news  of  the 
treaty  of  Peace  of  tlie  previous  24th  December,  having 
come  to  hand  in  Februarv,  1815 — the  battle  of  New 
Orleans  of  the  8th  January,  having  been  fouglit  after 
the  treaty  was  actually  signed  by  the  commissioners  at. 
Ghent. 


RUliI 


CHxVPTER    V 


«:  O  XC  LU SIGN— IN   KETI  REME  NT 


Tm-:  war  was  now  dosed,  and  our  liero  with  many 
otliers,  was  tlirown  again  upon  the  workl,  none  the 
bettor  for  liis  oainp  service  either  in  pocket  or  in  mor- 
als. Disoliarged  at  Sackett's  Harbor,  he  took  up  his 
lino  of  march,  once  more,  for  Wollsburg.  By  the  way 
of  the  hike,  then  on  foot,  tlieii  riding  in  a  wagon,  the 
obi  soldier  returned  from  tlie  wars,  until  lio  reached 
Pittsburgh;  thence,  descending  the  Ohio,  it  was  not 
long  until  he  again  greeted  his  friends,  to  engage  no 
more  in  the  perils  of  war,  nor  to  leave  them  again,  in 
the  wild  search  for  adventure,  lie  had  taken  an  active 
])art  in  the  most  arduous  campaign  of  the  war,  and  had 
particijnitcilin  its  most  brilliant  victory;  hut  while  the 
laurel  wreath  hung  so  gracefully  about  liis  brow,  he  had 
-•Iso  felt  some  of  the  stings  of  the  thorn.  The  congrat- 
ulations of  his  friends  were  embittered  with  the  thought 
th  t  now  forty  years  of  his  life  were  passed,  and  he  had 
nothing  substantial  to  show  for  recompense — nothing 
laid  up  against  the  day  when  penury  miglio  plead  in 
,'ain  with  cold-hearted  charity,  for  alms  in  considera- 
tion of  sclf-sacritice  and  gallant  deeds  in  the  country's* 


r 


iTn 


LIKE    AND    TI>Ji:S 


si'i'vicc.  lit;  wjis  now  ;i  iiiiddl'j-Mi^i'd  iiuiii,  aiitl  very 
iialiunlly  Ix'^^iiii  l(»  lliink  of  iiiukiiiL;- souk;  jxovisioii  lor 
till!  riiturc  Accoidinj^'ly,  hs  llir  |iliius(;  ;^a)(!S,  li(!settl('(I 
<l(i\vi).  I  i  is  sillts(i(|ii(;iit,  cuiiMM'  i);is'  hrcu  lli.'itofuJi  oM 
soldici',  subsided  iii(o  llic  rcjilil  ics  of  (jvcry-diiy  lilr,  and 
st,ni,u;.L;lin}^  upiinst,  [Ktvcrly  lor  an  holiest  siihsistonco. 
TIk!  wild  (»als  iio  Imd  so\vri  in  liis  rivrly  iniinhood,  wcyi-. 
now  l(<  !)(;  icajxjd.  A  life  of  s"Mlcd  industry  wiis  irk- 
some  (o  iiis  ti!rn|)Oi'jiTn(Mit,  and  aitri^otiici'  conliury  1o 
liis  li;>l)it!s.  Lik(!  too  inany  otlirrs  in  his'  |ios'ition,  lie 
t^iiv(;  way  to  iiiloinjxM'ftncc!,  iUid  diiiin.i^''  <lic  surci-cdinLi: 
to)-(y  y(>)irs  of  liis'  life,  occur  iniiny  (dnijitcus',  o\('i-  Avliicli 
wo  .i^Hiidly  drjiw  the  v<!il  ol'clnirity.  Wc;  would  iiotsay 
a  siiiti^Ic!  word  dcM'ot^atory  to  tcinpcrniicc  uk  n  virtue,  nor 
would  wo  iiiitif^iit(^  liy  a  sinnK;  iota,  tlie  j)roj)(M'  uldioi- 
roue*!  oi'vico  in  any  tdiajxi;  but  surely  sonn;  charity  can 
\)o  oxtondod  to  tlie  votcraii,  wiios(!  youth  up  to  in'\tur(^ 
nuinliood,  ]iad  bo(Ui  H])ont  in  the;  caiu}),  and  niorit<»iIous- 
Iv  in  tli(!  scrvico  of  Ids  country.  That  man  lias  in  hi« 
composition  littK^  of  lh«!Tuilk  ofliuman  kindness, — lit- 
tle of  the  spirit  of  Ilim  who  said,  writin^^  upon  tlie  sand, 
"h(!  tliat  is  innocent  amon^  you,  cast  the  lirst  stone," 
who  caiuiotfind  in  Ids  lajart  something  to  extenuate,  if 
not  excuse  this  single  fail in.L(  in  a  character  otherwise 
unbl(nnish(»d.  Lc't  us  not  judge  too  harshly,  We  know 
not  tlio  templations  of  other  men,  nor  iw  it  f>nr.s  to  jndgf 
their  i'aultH  or  loibles  loo  sevendy.  Still,  Avhiie  we  would 
crav(>  a  charitable  judgement,  the  fact  cannot  be  denied, 
that,  like  too  many  others,  he  acipiired,  during  liis  cam- 
paigns, a  taste  for  intoxicating  liquors,  and  was,  for 
many  years,  a  slave  to  the  debasing  habit  that  degrades 
and  domoralizen  so  many  of  the  bent,  most  brilliant  and 
most  generous  of  our  race.     Intemperance  was  his  be- 


OK    I'ATIIK'K    (iAKH. 


17 


Kfitliiii^'  sill,  liiil  ilruiils'  or   suIkt,    lie   wiis  ever  Iioucki 


siri(;(!i(.'  iiiid  I  iiilJifiil,  uikI 


u   ])ii(  1  ioL  l.o  t lie  vcrv   ••<»i('  o 


f 


IiIh  Ijourf.  Ill  Ill's  \<'ry  worst,  dr^Mailatioii,  I  lien;  was 
nvcr  (lis]")lay(;'l  iiii  iiilKJiciil.  nohilily  of  (jlmrucfcjr,  wliidi 
('oiiiin'iii(U'(l  l.!i(!  ]»it,yiii;^  )(;s|)('ct  of  liis  Jir'(|imiii1jiiict;s: 
uiiil  wliicli  ill  Ijitcr  yciirs,  li;is  (Mi.iiili'd  Jiim  in  u  Lcr<'iit 
iiicjisiirc  lo  throw  oH'iIh!   dcltjisin^^  liabit. 

r'loiii  tin;  tiiiif  (d'liis  ret  inn  in  JSlf),  lj(;  Ims  Itccri  lo- 


cjit.od  ill  tliis  viciiiit\',  cnua^^'-d  in  xurioiis 


oc(Mi|t!it  ions. 


lie  l('iid(Ml  ("(MTy  r<»r  'Si|uirt'  Kolxirt,  Marsjiall,  in  J  Hi.'), 
t(;ndc!(l  l»j'(^\v(!ry  I'oi'  Wriu^lit  A;  I»iiss(d!,  in  Wtdisluiri;, 
ill  ISIO,  and  in  (Jio  sann;  year  ladpc'd  .lolm  I'mowii  to 
huiid  I.Ih;  old  IJajit  isl  M(!c(  iii^'  I  loiiso,  liiinlod  Htray  Iiors»is 
aliout  Mansli(dd,  <  >liio,  in  i'^17,  and  labored  on  his  fatii- 
cr's  ranii,  and  in  tli(!  riillin^-  niill  aiternuffdy,  the  siic- 
c<!cd i II j,^  years,  nnvil  his  lather's  (h-atli,  which  oeeiuicd 
in  1S27.  On  this  ev(\nt,  he  was  ajtpointed  adininistia- 
tor  of  the  estate,  whieli  l)usin<,'.ss  was  soon  adjusted,  his 
fatluM's  <;.stutu  l>ein;r  but  small,  and  i'utiick's  share  l)ut 


u 


trillc 


o 


At  tliis  |j(unt  <*onini(;nees  the  jonianli*;  poition  ed'his 
t'ar(!ei'.  \\i'  had  attained  to  the  inatur(3  age  olT)8,  with- 
out having  {'.wf  liad  his  Nuseeptihilities  sensibly  loiieh- 
«!(!  by  the  boy-;^o)d;  until  lie  was  deemed  impervious  t 
his  s  lafts,  and  iiisensible  to  the  (diarms  of  lemale  soei- 
viy.  lie  had  taken  liix  position  in  the  iiinumeralile  ar- 
my of  old  liaehelors,  and  was  dciemed  iueorriyible  by 
liis  ao{|uaintaucx3s  and  the  j<en<ler  sex.  lie  who  hud 
fought  the  wild  bears  of  the  mountains,  sle[it  with  the 
biillalo  on  the  plains,  straddled  the  >iiKsouri,  and  lived 
for  months  on  unseHs^uned  dog-meat,  then  faced  the  .lirit- 
hsh  at  liUndy's  Law  and  Krie.  and  fought  his  way 
thr^nigh  blood  and  lluuie,   it   was  little  thought  wuuld 


'   I  ■ 


f  •  ~- 


178 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


Vi 


ovor  snrrnndor  liis  manliood  to  weak  woman's  wiles  and 
winning  ways.  r>nttlioy  misjudged  liim,  as  they  were 
igiiorant  of  luiman  nature.  Love  goes  by  contraries. 
Tiiko  seeks  not  like,  but  seeks  its  opposite;  so  that  the 
blended  elements  may  make  the  perfect  being:    . 

"Brra^ts  wlilrli  caso  tlin  Ihin':'  frnr-jiroof  licart. 

Find  tliclr  loved  homes  inarms  whom  tremors  dweU.'' 

.  80  Shakespeare  says,  and  so  in  this  case  the  event 
demonstrated.  ITe  had  only  deferred  his  destiny,  be- 
(?ause  he  had  not  yet  found  his  counterpart. 

In  the  fall    ^  18'29,  he  commenced  boarding  with  John 
Hamilton,  better  known  among  our  younger  readers  as 
the  Judge,  whose  bowed  frame  will  be  well  remember- 
ed as  he  sat  about  the  stores  and  street  corners — a  wreck 
of  a  powerful  and  once  inllucntial  man.     At  this  time, 
Hamilton  lived  on  a  piece  of  land,  and  had  to  cheer  him 
a  pretty  daughter,  whom  he  called  jMaria.     She  was  just 
blooming  into  womanhood,  a:ul  thrown  into  the  con- 
stant society  of  our  hero,  a  mutual  feeling  sprung  up 
between  the  two,  and  gradually  Jane  melted  into  J)e- 
cember.     Of  the  process  of  their  courtship  we  have  no 
data  other  than  what  probability  suggests.     He  doubt- 
less wooed  her  with  "tales  of  hair-breadth  scapes,  and 
of  perils  by  sea  and  land,"  and   as   she   listened,  she 
doubtless  breathed  the  wish,  as  maidens  often  do,  "that 
heaven  had  made  her  such  a  man."     Whether  she  did 
or  not,  they  made  each  other  understood  by  some  sub- 
tle alchemy  to  lovers  known;  ami  not  to  theorize  too 
far  on  so  delicate  a  subject,  they  were  married  in  1831. 
Patrick  immediately  rented  a  house   from   a  certain 
Crickett,  who  resided  on  the  Crawford  farm,  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Wellsburg,  and  commenced  house-keeping. — 
jNIaria  made  him  a  good  and  loyal  wife,  and  in  testimo- 


(I 


OF    rATUICK     (JASS. 


llif 


ny  thereof,  presented  liim  with  fieven  rhildrcn,  (hiriiiLC 
the  fifteen  years  of  their  married  life,  from  l!^31  to 
1846,  when  .slie  died.  It  was  customary  to  joke  the 
old  soldier  on  his  rapid  increase  of  family.  Sueii 
j(dves  Avere  always  good  naturedly  reeeiveil,  and  ho 
would  charaeteristically  remark,  that  as  all  his  life  long, 
ho  had  striven  to  dolus  duty,  he  would  not  neglect  it 
now,  but  I)y  industry  make  amends  for  his  delay. 

In  his  married  life  he  was  kind  and  affectionate — a 
good  husband  and  father.  Five  of  his  ehildren  are 
still  liviuLT,  one  having  died  in  infancy  and  another,  a 
well  groivn  lad,  dying  in  Loudon  county,  Va.,  of  the 
small  pox,  in  1855.  After  various  changes  and  re- 
moves, he  finally  purchased  a  piece  of  hill-side  land  on 
Pierce's  Run,  in  Brooke  county,  and'  sat  down  with 
his  increasing  family  to  cultivate  the  soil.  This  liap- 
py  retirement  was  interrupted  in  1840.  At  this  time- 
the  measles  appeared  in  his  family — all  of  the  children 
were  prostrated,  and  in  the  February  succeeding,  came 
the  severest  blow  he  had  ever  experienced.  At  this 
time  his  wife  having  taken  the  measles,  died,  and  he 
was  left  with  a  large  family  of  young  children  depen- 
dent upon  him  for  support  in  his  old  age. 

In  consideration  of  his  sarvices  he  received  from  thi? 
(rovernment,  in  addition  to  his  pay  as  a  soldier,  100 
acres  of  laud  in  1810,  and  a  pension  of  896  per  year, 
to  date  from  that  period.  The  land  ho  sufTered  to  lie, 
until  eaten  up  and  forfeited  from  non-payment  of  taxes, 
and  the  pittance  of  »$96  per  year  is  all  that  he  has  actu- 
ally received  from  the  Government  in  exchange  for  the- 
services  of  the  best  years  of  his  life,  from  1804  to  1815,. 
over  and  above  his  pay  and  rations  as  a  soldier. 


I( 


V: 


VA 


1-  ..'1 


1  :.^I 


I 

m 

m 

m 

w 


^\- 


«-« 


I 


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Hi 


1^0 


LIFE    AND    TIMES 


Tlie  lilstory  of  tlio  pension  laws  of  the  United  States 
is  one  of  interest,  and  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  all 
has  not  hecn  done  that  gratitude  perhaps  demanded,  she 
lias  been  more  liberal  in  this  respect,  than  any  other 
country  in  tlio  world.  It  1ms  been  the  rule,  in  all  coun- 
tries, to  grant  pensions,  in  some  shape,  for  meritorious 
services,  to  acknowledge  or  stimulate  merit,  and  to  raise 
those  who  have  served  their  country  faithfully,  above 
the  caprices  of  fortune.  In  Englaml,  the  king  has  been 
regarded  as  the  sole  judge  of  desert,  and  following  out 
the  theory  of  sovereignty,  in  America,  ihe  peojde  have 
(ixercised  the  grateful  ])rerogative.  As  the  gratitude  of 
the  country  toward  the  veterans  of  the  revolution  was 
great,  so  their  liberality  in  the  early  history  of  the  re- 
])ublic  was  generous  beyond  precedent,  the  more  espe- 
cially as  the  public  lands  furnished  an  apparently  in- 
exhaustible magazine  of  largess  whence  to  draw.  Pen- 
sion acts  were  passed  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution, 
providing  ade(p]ate  support  to  those  who  might  be  dis- 
abled in  the  discharge  of  duty.  Subsequently  these  laws 
were  enlarged  and  explained.  In  1818,  those  "who 
served  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution  until  the  end  there- 
of, or  for  the  term  of  nine  months,  or  longer,  at  any  pe- 
riod of  the  war  0)1  the  continental  establishment,*^  and 
"by  reason  of  reduced  circumstances  in  life,"  were  in 
need  "of  assistance  from  the  country  for  support,"  were 
provided  for.  In  1828,  pensions  were  given,  without 
any  qualification  as  to  property,  to  all  officers  and  sol- 
diers who  served  in  the  continental  line  of  the  army  to  the 
close  of  the  war.  Finally,  in  1832,  the  terms  were  en- 
larged, and  pensions  were  granted  to  all  who  served  in 
a  military  capacity,  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution, 
for  a  period  not  less  than   six  months.     First,   those 


'  .* 


OF    PATRirK    fiASS. 


isi: 


lisabled  in  tlie  military  and  naval  service  received  pen- 
sions;  than  the  indigent  and  necessitous;  and  lastly  all 
vveie  embraced. 

The  act  of  1832,  was  very  conipreheii.sive  in  its  pro- 
visions, yet  in  some  respects  it  was  nnjust — for  instance; 
The  rate  of  pension  was  graduated  by  the  length  of 
service  and  the  grade  or  nink  in  which  it  was  n>nd<>r- 
oJ.  'J^vo  years*  service  entitled  the  party  to  the  full  pay 
of  his  rank  in  the  line,  not  to  exceed,  however,  the  pay 
of  a  captain.  For  shorter  periods  the  pension  was  pro- 
portionably  less;  but  no  pension  was  provided  for  nieri-- 
]y  being  in  a  battle,  or  for  any  length  of  service  less  than 
six  months.  This  of  course  cut  ofjf  a  large  class  ot' 
soldiers  equally  meritorious,  but  whose  service  pcnhaps 
only  extended  to  a  single  campaign  or  to  a  single  battle, 
although  that  campaign  of  six  wTcks  or  single  iiattlo  may 
liavc  been  equally  arduous  and  dangerous  to  the  individ- 
ual, as  in  other  cases  might  have  been  the  full  period  oi' 
the  war  to  other  individuals.  Many  jiersons,  were  cal- 
led suddenly  into  active  service  during  the  war  of  1S12 
as  at  New  Orleans  and  other  places,  and  actually  enga- 
ged in  active  battle,  perhaps  been  wounded  anil  disabled, 
yet  these  men,  under  the  provisions  of  the  act  of  \S',j'2, 
were  entitled  only  to  a  pittance  proportioned  to  the  excess 
of  service  over  six  months.  This,  was  manifestly  unjust 
and  to  remedy  the  injustice,  and  in  some  manner  equal- 
ize the  public  bounty,  w;is  the  object  of  the  old  soldiers 
meeting  on  the  8th  January,  1855,  in  wliicli  Mr.  (lass, 
with  many  others,  figured  at  Washington  City,  as  here- 
after narrated. 

No  ir  an  ever  served  his  country  more  faithfully  than 
Mr.  Gas.  and  tl  ough  humble  and  uncomplaining,  no 
one  ever  better  deserved  to  be  a  recipient  of  the  public 


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Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)S72-4S03 


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182 


LIFK    AND    TIMES 


r, 

t 


bounty.     Had  he  been  a  titled  soldier,  his  extraordina- 
ry   claims   to  consideration  would  ere  this  have  forced 
themselves  upon  public  attention,  but  the  most   of  his 
career  was  in  the  capacity  of  an  humble  private,  with- 
out   commission   and    without  honor,  save  that  which 
comes  from  the  honest  and  faithful    discharge  of  duty 
in  whatev(!r  position  he  hai)pened  to  be  placed.     Many 
a  man  of  less  real  merit,  and  very  many  of  much   less 
service  have  risen  higher  in  political  and    military  and 
civil  station,  but  it  has  been  his  to  see  his  inferiors  over- 
top him  in  the  rewards  as  well  as  in  the  plaudits  of  a 
well  spent  life.     lie  was  too  modest   to  thrust  himself 
forward  among  the  brazsn  ranks  of  aspirants  for  poli-i- 
cal  preferment,  too  proud  to  crave  as  a  largess  from  the 
government  more  than  what  he  deemed  himself  entitled 
to  by  the  terms  of  his  contract,  too  much  of  a  philoso- 
pher to  complain  at  neglect,  and  too  long  a   soldier  to 
repine  at  the  inconveniences  of  a  lot  which  he  knew  to 
be  inevitable.     With  the  pittance   of  $96  a  year,  which 
he  has  been  for  many  years  in  the  habit  of  drawing  in 
half  yearly  instalments  from  the  agent    of  the  govern- 
ment at  Whetdiug,  and  tlie  small  amount   he  has   been 
enabled  to  eke  from  his  spot  of  stony  land,  he  has  liv- 
ed in  patriarchal  simplicity,  scrupulously  honest,  owing 
no  man  anything,  and  apparently  contented  and   happy 
as  a  millionaire.     We  doubt,  indeed,  whether  ever  the 
possessor  of  a  fortune  led  a  more  contented  or    equable 
life.     So  fur  as  wordly  cares  are  concerned,  as  to  him- 
self, he  lived  the  lifeof  a  philosop  her,  satisfied  that  he 
would  have  enough  for  a  decent    subsistence    while    he 
lived,  and  friends  enough  to  give  him  honorable  burial 
when  he  died;  and  hence  troubled  -amself  but  little  about 
the  accumulation  of  property.     His  wants  were  but  few, 


w 


OF   PATRICK    GASS. 


183 


and  easily  supplied.  But  as  his  family  grew  up,  and 
the  necessity  of  some  provision  for  them  began  to  occu- 
py his  mind,  it  would  be  singular  if  he  did  not  feel  some 
degree  of  solicitude  in  their  behalf.  It  is  a  beautiful 
characteristic  of  our  nature,  the  feeling  which  induces 
us  to  provide  for  those  who  arc  to  come  after  us,  around 
whose  life.s  the  chords  of  affection  hftvc  been  so  entwined, 
that  after  death,  we  would  still  have  them  remain  inter- 
laced with  the  recollection  of  the  love  we  bore  them. — 
Man  alone,  of  earthly  creacurcs  is  immortal,  and  man 
alone,  of  all  God's  creatures,  provides  for  his  offspring 
by  force  of  an  instinct  which  reaches  not  only  beyond 
the  period  of  maturity,  but  beyond  the  grave.  It  is 
hard  tohnd  a  creature  so  debased,  so  cold,  so  destitute 
of  the  ordinary  feelings  of  humanity,  as  not  in  some  de- 
gree to  recognize  the  promptings  of  natural  affection 
and  in  many  a  one,  the  secret  of  a  long  life  of  toil,  of 
trouble,  of  peril  and  deprivation,  of  sacrifice  of  comfort 
and  ever,  of  character,  is  found  in  this  yearning  'after 
posthumous  regard.  Undefined,  the  feeling  may  be, 
perverted  and  wrong  it  very  often  is,  yet  such  is  the 
case — that  around  the  most  rugged  heart,  the  desire  for 
providing  competence  for  posterity,  has  grown  into  a 
passion,  until  it  has  choked  out  almost  all  other  kindly 
feelings,  and  the  man  becomes  a  miser,  that  his  chil- 
dren may  be  spendthrifts.  The  feature,  in  human  na- 
ture, of  which  this  is  an  exaggeration,  in  its  true  and 
proper  devolopement,  beautities  and  ennobles  man  and 
distinguished  him  from  the  brutes  that  perish.  Mr. 
Gass,  had  now  become  a  man  of  family,  and  as  the 
cares  of  providing  for  them  began  to  thicken  around  him, 
he  began  to  be  more  solicitous  for  a  proper  provision  for 
their  welfare. 


'I  F      i 


1IW' 


m 


In 


1«4 


LIFE   AND   TIMES 


During  the  year  1854,  the  propriety  of  calling  a  cou- 
ventiou  of  tlic  surviving  soldiers  of  tlie  war  of  1812,  to 
meet  at  Washington  City,  by  delegates,  to  memorialize 
Congress  for  some  further  acknowledgement  in  the  shape 
of  grauts  of  lands,  of  the  services  of  those  who  had  ser- 
ved the  country  in  ii  s  day  of  adversity,  was  actively 
discussed.  The  c(timtry  had  now  grown  strong  anil 
wealthy,  and  it  was  thought  that  of  the  present  abun- 
dance we  could  well  spare  some  for  the  relief  of  the  sur- 
viving^ and  in  many  cases  fortune  broken  soliliers.  The 
case  certainly  appealed  strongly  to  the  generosity,  if 
not  to  the  justice  of  the  country.  A  strong  feeling 
seemed  to  exist  on  the  part  of  the  public  to  recognize 
these  claims.  The  question  was  discussed  in  Congress, 
and  advocated  on  the  ground  of  sound  policy  as  well  as 
of  gratitude,  and  the  Press  of  the  country  was  nearly 
unanimous  in  favor  of  the  propriety  of  acknowledging 
the  claims  of  the  old  soldiers.  President  Pierce  in  bis 
annual  message  of  this  year  spoke  of  the  commendable 
policy  of  setting  apart  a  portion  of  the  public  domai  ii 
for  this  purpose  and  adverted  to  the  fact  that  since  171)0, 
30,000,000  acres  of  public  lamls  had  been  approi)riated 
for  the  benefit  of  those  who  had  served  in  tiie  war.^  of 
the  Revolution.  Nothwithstanding  this  disposition, 
however,  there  were  still  many  to  object  to  such  a  mea!>- 
wre.  It  was  urged  that  ihe  pension  laws  were  liberal 
already  beyond  those  of  any  other  country;  that  a  further 
extension  of  liberality,  would  open  the  door  to  corrup- 
tion and  fraud;  that  many  of  tiie  surviving  soldiers  were 
wealthy  and  did  not  need  the  bounty,  and  that  it  would 
be  hard  to  discriminate  between  them  who  did  and  thoue 
who  did  not;  that  it  would  be  unjust  to  favor  sumo 
merely  because  they  were  survivor's,  while  others  equally 


OF    PATRICK    OA88. 


18;) 


[•al 
[or 

r 

ro 
Id 

Lo 

lie 


moritorioiis,   had  died  without  such  favor;  and  that  to 
equalize  tlie  matter  it  wouKl  be  necessary  to  extend  the 
bounty  to  the  heirs  of  the  latter,  which  would  absorb 
too   large  a  portion   of  the  public  lands.     These  weve 
serious  objections  and  prevented  congress  acting  as  lib- 
erally  toward  tho  old  soldiers   as  otherwise  their  feel- 
ings might  have  prompted  them  to  do.     Nevertheless, 
it  was  thought  advisable  for  these  latter  to  visit  Wash- 
ington City  in  person  and  thus  appeal    to  tho   countiy 
for  an  extension  of  liberality  in  their  behalf.     Accord- 
ingly, public  and  very  general  notice  was  given  by  ad- 
vertisement and  circulars  that  n  convention  of  old  sol- 
diers would  assemble  at  Washington  City  on  the  8th. 
day  of  January,  1855,  and  the  surv^iving  soldiers  wore 
invited   to  assemble   in  their  respective  neighborhoods 
and  send  on  delegates  to  represent  thenj  at  this  gener- 
al meeting.     This   call  emanated  from  the  president  of 
the    "military   convention''    of  the  soldiers    of  1812, 
which  had  assembled  in  Philadelphia  tho  9th.  of  Janua- 
ry  preceding  and  conteiu plated  a  meeting  not   only  of 
representatives  of  the  surviving  soldiers,  but  of  the  heirs 
of  the   deceased  soldiers.    It    was  particularly  desired 
however,  that  as  manv  of  the  old  soldiers  as  could  make 
it  convenient  should  attend  in  person  and  by  their  pres- 
ence make  the  demonstration  the  more  impressive  and 
efl'cctive.    In  accordance  with  this  call,  a  meeting  of  the 
old  soldiers  of  the  vicinity  was  invited  to  meet  at  W^ells- 
burg  on  the  25th.  of  December  1854,  to  elect  delegates 
to  the  N'^tional  convention  of  tho  8th.  January.     The 
names  of  those  present  at  this  meeting  are  as  follows, 
as  they  stand  in  the  published  proceedings  of  tlie  meet- 
ing in  the  Wellsburg  Herald  of  that  date. 

Patrick  Gasa,  Maj.  John  Miller,  William Tarr,  Isaiah 


'  ' 


' 


I"' 


•*    m\ 


!11 


■it'''     ■ 


II 


\m 


MFE    AND    TIMES 


Uohorts,  Robert  Britt,  Walter  Brownlcc,  Kli  fircon, 
Olied  Green,  Wm.  Roberts,  Noah  Rarkus,  George 
Young,  Mathias  Ebberts,  Ellis  C.  .lonos,  Elijah  Corne- 
lius, \Vm.  Colo,  John  Moren,  James  Davis,  .Iame.> 
WoIIh,  Walter  D.  Blair,  Adam  Ralston.  Wm,  Afkin 
son,  James  Baird,  Jolm  Gatwood,  and  eight  others 
were  represented  by  their  nearest  mrle  relations.  The 
seene  presented  by  the  assemblage  of  these  gray  haired 
veterans,  some  of  them  trembling  at  the  veiy  verge 
of  the  grave  and  none  of  them  witli  more  than  a  very 
few  years  of  this  world  in  prospect  meeting  thns  in  coun  • 
cil,  was  unique  and  sfiggestive  of  the  times  that  tried 
men's  souls.  Conspieuous  among  them  appeared  our 
old  friend  Mr.  Gass,  to  whom  was  assigned  the  post  of 
lionor  at  the  head  of  the  list  in  consideration  of  his  em- 
inent services  as  well  as  of  liis  age.  The  tall  form  of 
Ellis  C.  Jones  towered  among  his  old  comrades — ven- 
erable with  his  snow  wliite  locks  and  the  casual  f>bser- 
ver  could  readily  recognise  in  the  faces  of  many  of  them 
the  evidence  of  that  manly  energy  that  prompted  them 
in  their  youth  to  stand  in  the  foic  front  of  battle  in  de- 
fence of  the  country.  Though  old,  crippled  hy  disease 
and  time  ami  accident,  there  was  still  about  them  some- 
thing that  distinguished  them  from  the  mass  of  their 
fellow  men. 

The  meeting  appointed  Messrs  P.  Gass,  John  Miller. 
AVm.  Tarr  and  Ellis  C.  Jones  to  represent  them  in  ih 
old  soldiers  meeting  of  the  8th.  January  ensuing. 

^riie  Convention  met  at  the  4^  Street  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Washington  City,  on  the  morning  of  the 
8th,  and  organized  by  the  election  of  Joel  V.  Suther- 
land, of  Philadelphia,  as  President,  when  after  prayer 
by  Rer.  Sunderland  of  Washington,  they  were   ad 


or    rATIllt'K    (iASf. 


1KT 


■fil 


lor. 
til 

rinn 

the 

hcr- 

Byer 

ad 


vlipssodliy  IV'tor  Wilson  of  Cayupi,  and  otlitMS,  on  the 
subject  for  Avhich  they  had  assonihled. 

After  adjourninj^,  they  formed  in  j.roi.'essio!i  and  ])rc- 
cededbyall  the  military  of  tlie  city,  and  various  hands 
of  music,  marched  to  tho  I'rcsidont's  liouse,  which 
•they  reached  at  about  2  o'clock,  and  found  tlie  Presi- 
dent and  most  of  the  Cabinet  in  waitint,'  to  receive  tliein. 
I'lcsideut  Pierce,  in  responKC  to  the  address  of  the  !*re.s- 
ident  of  the  Convention,  doli\ered  an  a})|ii(>{"riatc 
speech,  sui)stautially  as  ft)llo\vs: 

''I  tender  to  vou,  sir,  and  to  vour  associates,  mr 
grateful  acknowledgements  for  the  j>r.vilege  of  tiiis  in- 
terview, and  for  the  kind  reference  you  have  been  ])leas- 
cd  to  make  to  myself.  It  can  hardly  be  necessary  for 
me  to  fe'ay  that  my  heart  sincerely  responds  to  your  al- 
lusion to  the  hero,  who  has  given  iinniortality  to  the 
day,  vou  have  met  to  celebrate.  As  fhi.s  numerous  as-- 
semblage  of  veterans  filed  before  us,  no  man  could  have 
observed  their  countenances,  without  being  impressed 
with  the  fact  that  they  were  the  men  for  such  a  war  as 
that  of  1812.  The  lines  of  intelligence  and  marked  em- 
phasis  of  character  are  unmistakcablc.  What  a  crowd 
of  associations  spring  from  the  presence  of  the  veteran 
commanders  near  me,  (CJencral  Scotland  Commodore 
Morris,)  and  1  am  gratilied  to  observe  among  yuu  a  del- 
egation from  our  red  brethren,  who  were  found  faithful 
in  the  period  of  trial;  and  whose  services  arc  entitled  to 
be  cherished  with  grateful  remembrance.  Many  of  yon 
liavo  never  met  before,  Kince  the  close  of  the  war,  and 
this  reunion  of  companions  in  arms  must  revive  in  your 
bosoms,  gentlemen,  emotions  peculiarly  active.  My 
earliest  reading  was  of  the  occurrences  of  forty  vear^^ 
'%go,  in  which  you  all  bore  a  part,  and  my  earliest  riiu 


i.lv 


!■■*      ::,>'^ 


18S 


LIFK    AND    TIMES 


iiiisccncos  arc  of  tii<Mvr»r  of  181*2.  I  woW  recollect  that 
the  ap[)i()i\('li  of  every  inivil  wivsttntici[)}vte(l  by  iny  foot- 
steps to  (he  village  post  office,  and  that  1  naturally  felt 
the  deepest  coneerii  for  those  who  left  my  own  home  to 
take  a  part  in  the  conllict,  while  my  young  heart  gave 
out  its  (juick  sympathies  to  all  who  contril)uteil  to  tiie 
cause,  personal  service,  or  sustained  it  at  home  l>y  ear- 
nest and  eflicient  encouragement.  'I'iniehas  only  serv- 
7ed  to  enhance  the  admiration  I  then  lelt,  for  such  as 
])romptly  enrolled  themselves  under  the  Hag  of  their 
country,  and  it  is  gratifying  to  meet  hero  to-day,  so  ma- 
ny survivors  of  that  galhmtarmy  and  navy.  1  can  read- 
ily conceive  the  thrilling  emotions  that  must  rush  upon 
you  as  you  now  grasp  each  other  by  the  hands,  for  the 
lirst  time  for  forty  years,  and  it  may  bo  for  the  last  titne 
forever;  but,  gentlemen,  1  must  not  detain  you.  I  wish 
for  you,  individually  and  collectively,  every  blessing — 
all  that  you  can  reasonably  expect,  and  all  that  your 
oounti^  can  consistently  confer.  The  universal  com- 
mendation which  greets  you  at  every  step,  is  more  elo- 
quent than  any  words  that  I  can  utter.  May  God,  who 
has  so  signally  blessed  our  country,  preserve  and  ever 
bless  its  defenders." 

Six  cheers  were  then  given  for  the  President,  and  as 
many  more  for  the  soldiers  of  1812,  and  the  convention, 
after  the  war-chief  of  the  Onondagua  had  replied  to  the 
President,  adjourned  for  dinner. 

At  5  o'clock,  the  convention  having  resumed  its  de- 
liberations, passed  the  following  preamble  and  reaolu- 
iions: 

"Forty -years  have  now  elapsed,  since  General  Jack- 
ion  fought  and  won  the  last  great  battle  oi  the  lato  war 
with  Great  Britain,  at  New  Orleans;  and  that  glorioum 


tlio 

de- 
lolu- 

ick- 
Iwar 


OP   PATlllCK    OA»fl. 


ISO 


anniversary  is  a  fitting  day  for  the  8ui*viving  soldiers 
of  tliat  war  to  meet  and  take  counf^cl  together.  Thif 
city,  too,  named  after  tlie  father  of  our  country,  is  a 
most  appropriate  place  for  our  assemblage.  The  war 
of  the  revolution  achieved  our  liberty,  the  war  of  181li 
.secured  it.  While  the  green  sod  marks  the  graves  of 
our  revolutionary  fathers,  a  few  only  of  those  who  sta- 
lled their  lives  in  our  last  immortal  conflict,  survive  to 
tell  the  tale  of  our  sufferings  and  services — by  far  the 
greater  portion  of  them  having  passed  down  to  their 
last  homes  on  earth,  manVv")f  them  in  ])enurv  and  want. 

"In  less  than  forty  years  after  the  close  of  our  revo- 
lutionary struggle,  a  grateful  Congress  passed  a  gener- 
al pension  law  for  the  benefit  of  the  surviving  officers 
and  soldiers,  at  a  time  when  the  treasury  was  empty, 
and  a  heavy  war  debt  was  hanging  over  it;  is  it  then  un- 
reasonable for  us  to  expect  that  similar  justice  will  be 
done  to  the  survivors  of  the  war  of  181-,  and  to  the 
widows  and  children  of  those  who  arc  dead,  whik'  the 
public  treasury  is  overflowing  with  gold  and  we  have 
comparatively  no  debts?  Or  is  it  asking  too  much  to 
have  fair  portions  of  the  public  domain,  which  we  fought 
and  paid  for,  allotted  to  us?     We  think  not. 

"1.  Be  it  therefore,  resolved,  that  a  committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  memoralize  Congress  on  this  subject,  and  to 
nrge  npon  our  Senators  and  liepresentatives  to  make  to 
each  officer,  soldier,  sailor  and  marine,  who  served  du- 
ring the  war  of  1812-15,  appropriate  grants  of  land, — 
at  least  IGO  acres  to  the  lowest  grade  and  for  the  shor- 
test time  of  actual  service.  The  benefit  of  this  law  to 
extend  to  the  widows  and  children  of  those  who  are 
dead. 

*'2.     That  similar  provision  ought  to  be  made  for 


\ ' 


-'^ 

I'l 

^■l^l 

m 

111 


iOO 


T.IFI'    AND    TIMES 


E 


.>Mr  iV'l  l)rcthioi\  wlio  fouglit  by  our  sides;  and  iilltliost:- 
(•oiiHnod  ill  foreign  prisons  dm  ing  the  war  of  1812,  if 
nlivo;  and  also,  to  tlio  prisoners  in  Tripoli,  who  vvcrir 
forced  to  labor  as  slaves  or  felons.  If  dead,  then  to 
their  widows  and  ehildren. 

".S.  That  while  wo  deeply  deplore  the  untimely 
deaths  of  so  many  of  our  brethren  in  arms,  wo  pledge 
Dursolvesever  to  aid  and  protect  their  bereaved  widows 
and  orphans;  and  here  on  this  most  interesting  occa- 
sion, we  extend  to  each  other  the  right  hand  of  follow- 
ship,  and  bind  ourselves  by  evcy  sacred  obligation  to 
stand  bveach  other  while  wo  live,  in  dofenco  of  all  our 
righcs  at  homo  and  abroad. 

4.  That  Congress  ought  to  extend  to  the  soldiers  of 
the  late  war  and  their  widows  the  same  pension  system, 
adopted  for  these  of  the  revolution;  and  the  thanks  of 
this  Convention  are  hereby  tendered  to  those  just  and 
generous  members  of  both  houses,  who  have  had  tho 
nerve  already  to  move  in  this  matter. 

"5.  ^rimt  in  our  judgement  every  principle  of  jus- 
tice requires  that  invalid  pensions  should  commence 
from  the  time  when  the  wounds  were  received  or  disa- 
bilities incurred  in  the  service  of  the  United  f*tates." 

Resolutions  wore  also  passed  thanking  individual 
members  and  recommending  measui-cs  to  bo  taken  to 
carry  out  the  objects  of  the  foregoing  resolutions,  af- 
ter which  speeches  were  delivered  by  Generals  Scott 
and  Coombs  of  Kentucky,  and  by  other  distinguished 
soldiers  and  civilians,  when  tho  Convention  adjourned 
Tintil  the  next  morning. 

Next  morning,  the  old  soldiers  again  assembled,  and 
after  prayer  proceeded  to  discuss  the  most  available 
means  for  accomplishing  tho  object  of  the  ConventioHv 


OK    PATUICK    a  AS  8. 


101 


led 
led 

id 
)lo 


Committees  were  appointed  for  every  Stale,  and  ar- 
rangements made  for  an  organized  effort  to  aocuro  tar- 
dyjusticc  from  the  representatives  of  the  people.  Af 
tor  some  time  spent  in  discussion  tiicf  adjourned,  hav- 
iu)^  been  kindly  treated  by  the  citizens  of  Washington, 
and  being  highly  pleased  with  their  entertainment  gen- 
erally. 

The  parting  of  the  old  soldiers  \vh')n  each  delegation 
took  up  itH  line  of  march  for  homo,  was  affecting  in 
the  extreme,  and  as  the  gray  haired  veterans  shook 
hands  for  the  last  time  many  an  eye  was  bedewed  with 
tears.  Since  that  last  parting  many  of  them  have  died, 
and  as  year  by  year  rolls  around  one  by  one  the  defen- 
ders drop  off,  until  now  their  ranks  are  more  than  deci- 
mated— scarcely  enough  remaining  to  call  tb.e  roll  of 
the  survivors. 

The  meeting  of  the  old  soldiers  was  a  failure  so  far 
as  the  object  for  which  it  was  previously  designed,  was 
concerned;  but  it  attracted  the  attention  of  the  coun- 
try to  the  subject,  and  may  yet  eventuave  in  the  desired 
modification  of  the  pension  laws,  or  at  least  to  an  ex- 
tension of  liberality  to  particular  individuals  like  our 
liero,  the  singularity  of  whose  service  precludes  the  pro- 
bability of  his  ease  ever  being  used  as  a  precedent.  It 
would  be  creditable  to  the  American  Congress  did  they 
make  an  exception  in  his  case,  and  by  a  bonus,  munifi- 
cent to  him,  trifling  to  the  nation,  demonstrate  at  once 
their  appreciation  of  meritorious  services  and  character, 
and  help  to  smooth  the  declining  years  of  au  old  and 
deserving  soldier. 

There  is  not  probably  now  living,  a  single  man  who 
has  done  so  much  for  the  public  as  Mr.  Gass,  and  re- 
ceived as  little.     Among  the  many  unicjue  features   of 


H 


f\^ 


^1 


t- 


102 


i.IirB    AND    T1MK8 


his  rlmrnctor  this  is  nottholoftst  singular.  Ilohnsnfv- 
cr  luHMi  ji  l)e^,Lfnr,  mnthor  lius  Iio  over  Imil  omolumcnt 
thrust  upon  him  by  tlio  countiy  he  so  fiiilht'iiliy  sorvtul; 
luMU'C  lio  is  both  |)0(>r  ami  iiiimblo.  It  may  bo  j)ro|)<'r, 
now,  to  say,  tliat  these  sULT^cslious  aii?  oms,  not  liis; 
not  put  forth  at  his  iiistanco,  but  unsolii'itoil,  and  wliol- 
ly  pi»mpt('il  by  a  (k'siic  on  our  ])ai't  to  sco  a  j>roper  )il)- 
orality  cxtiMiiiivl  t  :  a  (h'sorviii!^-  man.  As  for  liim,  liis 
desires  arc  but  lew  us  liis  wauls  are  simpUi;  and  if  tlio 


i;ov(U'nmen 


t  bf 


it  of 


PiiCrudi^cs  a  materuu  a('kuowliMlL!:em(Mit  ol 
his  idaim,  wo  are  satislied  tlnit  tlie  refusal  will  not  oc- 
oasiou  him  a  single  panpj  ot"  regret,  or  a  single  murmur 
of  comidaint. 

After  his  return  from  the  ''Soldier's  Convention"  of 
IS;')!),  although  disappointed  in  his  antieipations.  he 
manifested  a  philost)phie  indifferenee,  and  much  more 
Kurpriso  and  gratilieation  at  the  developn»ent  of  the 
country,  the  magniiicent  railroads,  public  buildings  and 
improvements  that  came  umler  his  observation,  and 
the  universal  recognition  that  he  recciveil  among  the 
dignitaries  at  Washington  City,  and  indeed  among  all 
parties  with  whom  he  camo  in  contact,  than  he  did  re- 
gret or  dissatisfaction  at  the  result.  During  his  travels 
about  the  Federal  city  ho  was  considerably  lionized,  had 
the  freedom  of  the  various  routes  of  travel,  and  generally' 
was  highlv  ilattenil  by  the  consideration  that  was 
shown  him  on  all  occasions  where  his  character  was 
known.  A  considerate  friend  in  the  city  had  presen- 
ted him  with  a  spread  eagle  of  brass  which  was  attached 
to  the  front  of  his  hat  and  wherever  the  badge  was  ob- 
served it  became  his  generally  recognised  passport. — 
The  same  badge  was  worn  for  a  long  time  after  at  home, 
and  regarded  by  the  old  hero,  with  very  commendable 


or    I'ATIIU'K    C,\HH. 


103 


prido  ns  ft  Koiivonir    of  tlio  hlniluoMs  of  Ills    Wii^liln^'- 
lon  fiiciids. 

^Vo.  sliiill  now  !)rin;^  (lin  liio^ijipliy  of  our  lioro  lo  a 
(iloso,  only  rciiiurkiu;^  timt  jis  tli<!  Iilciiiislics  on  his  i-litir- 
JictiM"  jiro  f(!\v  and  su|)(;rlicijil;  tin*  reader  wliu  sinceioly 
upj)rocijites  liis  reiilly  ^rood  and  sfeilin^' (pnilities,  will 
readily  forget  and  fori^iv*' ids  iVaillies. 

Ill'  is  si  ill  living,  Ditconilier,  lsr)S,  >,\  inil(\  hearty 
\'irj^inia  heinoerat  of  tlie  old  seliool, — one  who  nexer 
falt(!rin,Lj  in  the  dis(diar,t<(;  of  dnt;,  .  or  ih-viatin^  l)y  tho 
breadth  (»f  a  hair  from  tho  st "'I'l  li!i>.  of  )>rinei|de,  Mill 
mingles  suavity  with  Ids  ])arty  ;.i.>al;  and  that  .i^'ratefnl 
toloranee  of  o[)iuion  in  others,  which  dis(injL,niis]i('S  tho 
gentlonian  from  tho  mere  politician,  lie  is  one;  of  na- 
ture's gentlemen,  is  the  least  that  ean  he  said  of  him. 
llaviuL?  nursed  flames  IJuchnnan  in  17!>4,  he  of  course, 
voted  for  him  for  President  in  l8r)(>,  as  he  has  uniform- 
ly done  for  liis  demo(;ratie  ])rcdecessor.s  since  the  duvs 
of  Andrew  .Jackson.  His  ])olitical  vitnvs  are  ilrm  and 
decided,  hut  he  seldom  obtrudes  tliem;  Ids  relij^'iouK  con- 
victions are  of  the  same  cast — immovalile,  but  undem- 
onstrative. Such  as  he  i.s,  lie  stands  before  the  world; 
and  such  as  he  has  b(;cn,  he  is  })repared  to  go  before  Ids 
Mwkor  in  full  reliance  upon  his  justice  and  grace,  with- 
out meddling  much  withcrceds  or  professions.  So,  wo 
leave  him.  That  his  latter  days  may  bo  prosperous  and 
happy,  and  blessed  with  the  christian's  hope  of  immwr- 
talitv,  i.s  tho  sincere  wish  of  his  biographer. 


!  '  tJ 


i  VI 


i;; 


PART    SKCOND 


CIVIL  HISTORY. 


Thn  Upper  Ohio— French  and  KnfjliHh  I'rotpnsions— Washington  s  First  Kx- 
poditlon— First  En/lish  Sottlnmeut  at  Fort  Pitt — Governor  Dimviddift — 
Wasliinffton's  Second  Expedition — Fort  Necessity — Dcatli  of  Jnni'mvilln — 
First  flun  of  the  70  year's  war — Washington's  Capitulation  a*.  Fort  Ne- 
cessity. 

It  may  not  l)c  iuapproprifttc  to  tho  dosigri  of  oui* 
work,  to  give  somo  detail  of  tho  civil  history  of  tlio  coun  - 
try  coming  within  its  scope,  tho  more  particularly  as 
writers,  heretofore,  havegcncrally  contented  themselves 
with  tho  more  heroic  features  of  our  annals  as  exempli- 
fied in  the  narratives  of  Indian  wars  and  massacres. — 
This  is  a  much  easier  style  of  composition  than  tho  la- 
borious collation  of  facts  and  figures  and  as  a  general 
thing  a  more  interesting  ono  to  tho  cursory  reader,  who 
by  tho  way,  represents  the  largo  majority  of  tho  read  ■ 
ing  pnblic.  Tho  civil  history  of  tho  country,  neverthe- 
less, is  important;  and  may  bo  made  interesting.  Tho 
materials  in  tho  crude  state  may  bo  found  pretty  wide- 
ly diffused  through  the  public  archives,  in  the  columns  of 
old  newspapers,  in  private  repositories  of  papers,  and 
in. tho  memories  of  contemporaries.     To  all  these  sour- 


\'< 


196 


CIVIL     HISTORY. 


ces  wc  have  resorted  when  opportunity  ofiered,  and  one 
result  of  our  researches  lias  been,  a  knowledge  of  the 
wide  difference  between  tlie  random  stringing  out  of 
words  and  correct  statement  of  facts  capable  of  being 
verified  by  comparison  witii  dates  and  autliorities.  Wc 
have  been  able  to  discover  no  .-ogular  history  of  this  char- 
acter, and  believe  the  items  have  never  been  systematical- 
ly collated.  Few  sections  of  the  country  can  boast  of 
more  incident  in  its  early  settlement  than  that  lying  on 
the  tipper  waters  of  the  Ohio,  and  it  may  be  necessary 
to  preface  our  civil  history  with  somcof  rather  a  martial 
cast.  It  was  the  theatre  of  controversy  between  the 
French  and  the  English  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war, 
and  even  before  it  attracted  English  attention,  was  re- 
garded with  covetous  eyes  by  the  French  government. 
They  contemplated  a  chain  of  posts  extending  from  the 
lakes  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  by  means  of  whlcli  they 
might  be  enabled  to  gain  and  preserve  the  supremacy  of 
the  country.  Their  object  Avas  principally  trade  with 
the  Indians,  though  political  reasons  and  perhaps  relig- 
ious proselytism,  were  impelling  motives  for  their  ac- 
tions. The  point  of  conlluonce  of  the  Allegheny  and 
jMonongahela  was  early  and  rightly  considered  a  most 
eligible  situation  for  a  stronghold  commanding  as  it  did, 
the  mouths  of  two  rivers  along  whose  banks  the  peace 
and  warpaths  of  the  Indians  of  the  North  and  West 
concentered,  and  being  at  the  head  of  the  most  magnifi- 
cent water  course  in  the  world,  8000  miles  in  length,  and 
then  considered  much  longer.  It  was  rightly  considered 
the  key  of  the  western  country.  Both  the  French  and 
the  English  saw  its  importance  and  both  were  disposed 
to  take  measures  to  secure  possession  of  it.  As  early 
as  1753-4,  Washington  at  the  age  of  21,  had  been  sent 


'f 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


197 


hj  Governor  Dinwiddie,  of  Virginia,  to  inspect  it.  lie- 
pronounced  warmly  in  its  f.-vor,  as  an  eligible  place  for 
a  military  post,  and  recommended  its  immediate  pos- 
eession.  He  also  gave  it  as  his  opinion,  that  the  point 
would  some  day  bo  the  seat  of  a  great  city.  In  May, 
1752,  the  Indians,  by  treaty  at  Logstown  had  "desired 
their  brothers  of  Virginia  to  build  a  strong  house  at  the 
forks  of  the  Monongahela;"  and  at  Winchester  in  175J> 
another  party  had  renewed  to  Virginia,  tl'e  same  propo- 
sal. They  were  afraid  of  and  angry  at  the  French;  and 
courting  favor  with  their  competitors,  the  English. 

The  Ohio  company,  in  the  early  part  of  175.']  had 
opened  a  road  from  Will's  Oreck  into  the  valley  of  the 
Ohio,  and  in  November  of  this  year,  the  young  Envoy, 
with  Christopher  Gist  as  guide,  an  interpreter,  John 
Davidson  by  name,  and  four  attendants  on  horsebac  k 
and  on  foot,  travelled  in  nine  days  to  the  forks  of  tho 
Ohio.  The  season  was  cheerless,  with  sleet  and  snow 
and  the  prospect  gloomy  with  the  fallen  leaves  and  tho 
■olemn  silence  of  the  late  Autumn,  but  the  prophetic 
mind  of  Washington  grasping  the  future,  was  able  to 
overlook  the  inconveniences  and  drawbacks  of  tho 
present,  in  the  magnificent  country  that  opened  upon 
his  vision  along  rhc  banks  of  the  beautiful  river.  Pur- 
suing his  journey,  he  held  favorable  council  with  the 
Indians  at  Logstown  and  Venango,  but  was  able  to  effect 
nothing  with  tho  French,  whose  commander  St.  Pierre, 
an  officer  of  courage  and  ability,  bluntly  informed  him 
that  *'he  was  there  by  the  orders  of  hisGreneral  to  which 
bo  would  conform  with  exactness  and  resolution,  and 
that  he  would  sieze  every  Englishman  within  the  valley 
of  the  Ohio."  One  object  of  Washington's  embassy 
was  to  ascertain  the  object  of  the  French  in  encroach  -. 


ii 


m 


'■'•ii 


HiOS 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


\ng  upon  the  territory,  in  time  of  '  solid    peace"  artd 
their    answer  was    satisfactory  upon  that  liead.     This 
took  place   at  Fort  Lc  BcBuff,  or  Watcrford,  15  miles 
south  of  Lake  Erie,  on  French  Creek,  and   immediately 
retracing  his  steps  he  started  about  the  middle  of  inclem- 
»;ut  December,  back  for  Virginia.     The  cold  increased 
very  fast  and  tluMvilderness  }iaths  were   obliterated  by 
tiie  deep  snows,  so  that  they  were  compelled  to  travel 
by  compass  alone.     The  day  after  christmas,  while  trav- 
elling he  was  aimed  at  by  an  Indian  at  fifteen  steps  dis- 
'ance,  but  the  gun  missed  fire;  then  they   started  across 
the  Allegheny  on  a  raft  of  logs,  constructed  with  infi- 
nite trouble,  with  the  aid  of  "one  poor  ha'chet,"    and 
when  in  the  middle  of  the  running  ice,  Washington  was 
jerked  overboard  by  catching  his   setting-pole  between 
two  large  cakes,  and  saved  himself  from  drowning  on- 
ly by  grasping  the  logs  of  the  raft,  and  lodging  upon  an 
island.     The   next  morning,  the  Allegheny  was  frozen 
and  they  finished  the  perilous  ferriage  over  the  ice.     IW 
January  1754,  they  reached  Gist's  settlement  at  the  foot 
of  Laurel  mountain,  and  after  that,  their  progress  to  the 
(seat  of  government  at  Williamsburg   was  kss  arduous. 
His  report  was  followed  by  imrajdiatu  activity,  even 
on  liis  return  he  met  pack  liorses  laden  wiih  materials 
and  stores  and  families  going  out  to  settle  at  the  Forks 
of  the   Cdiio,  as  it  was  at  that  day  callled.     The  Ohio 
company  had  somewhat  anticipated  his   report.     They 
commenced  the  Fort  and  made  some  progress  when  Cou- 
trecoeurcame  down  from  Venango,  with  field  pieces  and 
near    1000   men  in  sixty  bateaux   and  300  canoes,  and 
demanded  its  surrender.     Having  only  33  effective  men, 
they,  on  the  17th  of  April,  1754,  capitulated  and  with- 
drow.     Contrecceur  finished  the  fortifications  aui  ua- 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


ISO 


tnod  it  Fort  DuqucMie.     In  the  incnntlnic,  Gov.  Din 
widdie  liad  been  exerting  himse-f  to  forward  soldiers  to 
^he  scene  of  operation.     (Japt.  Trent  was  commissioned 
to  proceed  forthwith,  and  liaving  raised  a  company  of 
100  men,  ordered  to  march  to  the  Fork,  and  complete 
iheFort,  and  Wasliingion  was  authorized  and  directed 
to  recruit  a  force  at  Alexandria,   for  the  same  purpose- 
But  difti  culties  occurred  in   the  colonial  Government, 
''^pt.  Trent  proved  inefficient,  and  before  efficient  aid 
could  be  rendereJ,  the  fort  had  fallen  into  the  lujidsof 
the  French.     It  was  the  first  regular  English  settlement 
on  the  watei>  ot  tli ;  Olro.     Gov.  Dinwiddle  was  dispo- 
sed to  take  vigorous  mea>.i.r3s  for  the  settlement  of  the 
country.     Two  hundred  thousand  acre-j  of  l\nd  lying 
on  the  Ohio  river,  one  hundred  thousand  lying  contigu- 
ous to  the  Fort  for  the  use  of  the  garrison,  were  ollered 
as  an   inducement  to  volunteers.     This   proclamation 
was  effective,  and  is  the  foundation  of  the  titles  of  manv 
of  the  farms  lying  in  this  region.     Two  iiollars  per  hun 
dred  acres  was  afterwards  the  price  fixed  by  the  govern- 
ment for  warrants  for  unappropriated  lands,  l-^cated  iu 
any  quantity  and  almost  anywhere.     The  ofler  of  boun 
ty  induced  ready  enlistment,  and  on  the  2nd  of  April, 
15  days  before  the  fall  of  the  Fort,  Washington  set  off 
for  the  forks  of  the  Ohio,  with  150  men,  and  was  follow-^ 
ed  by  Col.  Fry  with  theremainderof  a  regiment.    ThcT 
cxpcriehced  great  difficulty,  had  to  impress  horses  and 
wagons  and  got  bad  ones,  the  roads  wc-o  miserably  bad, 
and  on  the  9.h  of  May  they  were  still  nine  miles  distant 
from  Will's  creek  fort,  at  a  place  calK)d  the  Little  Mead  - 
OW8.     By  the  27th  they  had  descended  the  waters  of  the 
Youghiogheny,  until  they  came  into  close  quarters  with 
ibe  French.     Warned  by  the  H'llf-king,  a  friendly  In- 


il 


t  •» 


11 


•ill 


':: '  i:<i 


''-M 

■'ij_ 

'['m 
m 

200 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


dian,  whoso  friendship  Washington  had  gaiuod   in  hi* 
previous   excursion  to  the  Oliio,  anil  by  his  old  friend, 
Christopher  (list,  noav  who-^o  residence  lie  then  was,  to 
bo  on  the  alert,  ho  halted  at  the  (Ireat  Meadows  and  pro- 
ceeded to  fortify  his  position,     lie  named  the  place  Fort 
Necessity.     I'he  French  were  under  the  command  ot 
do  Jumonville,  a  ywung  oflicer  of  great  promise.    Wash- 
ington and  his  party,  assisted  by  the  Indians  under  the 
Half-king,  surprised  them  in  their  encampment  and  al- 
ter a  short,  encounter,   in  which  ten  Frenchmen  were 
slain,  and  twenty-one  taken  prisoners,  defeated  them. — 
Jumonvillo  was  killed  at  the  beginning  of  the  skirmish, 
and  his  death  was    made  the   theme  for  much  declama- 
tion.    Tlio  French  court  denounced  the  act  as  contrary 
to  all  the  laws  of  Avar  and  claimed  that  .lumonville  and 
hi.s   party  were  only    engaged  in    a   peaceable  embassy 
and  were  on  iho  search  for  Washington  and    his  party, 
whom  they  had  heard  of,  as    being  on  the   way.     This 
was  afterwards  proved  to    bo  all  pretence,  and  of  a  piece 
with    the    dissimulation  which  the    French  habitually 
practiced  in  their  proceedings,  during  this  controversy. 
Washington,  himself,  fired  the   first  gun,  and    says 
Bancroft,   "his  word  of  command  idndled  the  world  in- 
to flames.     It  w-as  the  signal  for  the  great  war  of  tho 
liovolution.    There  in  the  Western  forest  began  the  bat- 
tle which  was  to  banish  from   the  soil  and  neighbor- 
hood of  our  republic  the  institutions  of  the  middle  ages, 
and  to  inflict  on  ti\em  fatal  wounds  throughout  the  con- 
tinent of  Europe.     In  repelling  France  from  the  basin 
•f  the  Ohio,  Washington  broke  the  repose  of  mankind,, 
and  awakened  a  struggle  which  could  admit  only  of  a 
trace,  until  tho  ancient  bulwarks  of  catholic  legitimacy 
w«ra  thrown  down." 


«  * 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


201 


It  may  thus  indeed  be  said  that  on  the  waters  of  the 
Ohio,  was  the  first  gun  fired  of  the  war  of  opinion  that 
afterwards  convulsed  the  worhl,  and  whose  reverbera- 
tions did  not  cease  until  the  American  colonies  were 
freed  not  only  from  French  but  from  English  domin- 
ion; and  Europe  itself  was  shaken  to  its  centre  by  the 
armed  hosts  of  seventy  years  of  almost  continuous 
war.  Through  all  its  vicissitudes,  the  conflict  of 
liberty  with  legitimacy,  was  the  prevailing  idea — 
culminating  in  the  attrocities  of  the  French  revolution, 
and  expiring  from  exhaustion  alone,  with  the  fall  of 
the  first  Napoleon.  The  death  of  Jumonville  was  hail- 
ed all  over  both  continents  as  the  first  overt  act  of  hos- 
tility between  France  and  England,  and  commenced 
the  "old  French  war,"  which  resulto-l  in  the  supremacy 
of  England  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  and  proved 
the  nursery  for  the  gallant  soldiery  who  in  after  years 
in  turti,  wrested  its  possession  from  her,  and  in  the 
name  of  the  people,  took  charge  of  it  themselves. 

After  this  aft'air  at  the  Great  Meadows.  "Washing- 
ton determined  to  push  on  toward  the  Forks,  and  pro- 
ceeded some  distance,  bat  ascertaining  that  the  French 
would  meet  him  with  an  overwhelming  force,  he  judged 
it  best  to  retreat,  which  he  did,  until  he  again  reached 
Fort  Necessity  on  his  return.  His  men  were  jaded  and 
discouraged,  and  scarce  of  provisions,  and  he  waited 
for  reinforcements  from  Wills  creek  with  supplies. — 
While  waiting  at  this  point,  a  deserter  carried  word  to 
the  French  under  de  Villiers,  a  brother-in-law  of  the 
de  Jumonville  previously  slain,  of  the  desperate  condi- 
tion of  the  Virginians,  and  that  officer  at  once  marched 
to  attack  them,  and  on  the  3d  of  July,  after  a  severe 
conflict,  Washington  capitulated,  obtaining  favorable 


■' 


I, 


202 


CIVIL   mSTORT. 


terras  from  the  French  commander.  On  the  4th,  they 
took  up  their  line  of  march  again  from  the  valley  of 
the  Ohio,  as  prisoners  of  war;  and  the  French  Hag 
waved  undisputed  by  any  actual  force  from  the  head 
springs  of  the  Ohio  to  the  mouth  of  the  MissisKippi. 

A  copy  of  the  articles  of  capitulation  was  f  ubsequent- 
ly  laid  before  the  Virginia  House  of  Burgesses,  and 
notwithstanding  the  unfavorable  termination  of  the 
enterprise,  Washington  and  his  troops  were  thanked 
for  their  gallant  behaviour  and  about  $1100  (300  pis- 
toles) voted  to  be  distributed  among  the  men  engaged. 


1^'. 


iifiij 


lilt 


CHAPTER    II 


'M 


m 


THE  INDIANS  AND  THEIR  POLITY. 


m 


Po'irr  of  tbo  Indian*— Tlio  Oliio  Indians— TTiintinr  Grounds- Sliawanwo— 
.I)olawar(>«- Ottnwiis— Six  Niition-— Imliiin  Villui.'O-' — Tocunipseh— Hatred 
of  theWiiitos— CruoUios — I'ioucers— Uouutios  for  ticalps— ludiiiu  WarlTM 
Comparative  Losses— Scouts. 

History  (Toes  not  speak  in  very  favorable  terms  of 
the  conduct  of  the  Indian  allies  of  tlie  JMigli.sli.  Not- 
Vv'itlistanding  alltlicir  exertions  and  the  expenditure  of 
a  large  sum  in  presents  to  the  Indians,  not  more  than 
thirty  could  ever  bo  obtained,  at  one  time,  to  join  the 
forces  of  the  English  in  this  campaign.  They  appear 
to  have  been  regular  mercenaries,  easily  discouraged  by 
adversity,  and  difficult  to  control  in  time  of  success,  apt 
to-  desert  when  most  needed,  and  generally  willing  to 
sell  themselves  to  the  highest  and  best  bidder.  The  En- 
glish and  French  bid  for  their  services.  The  formw 
had  early  gained  the  good  will  of  the  Six  Nations,  &i 
they  were  called,  by  timely  assistance  afforded  them 
against  their  enemies,  the  Adirondacks,  who  were  aid- 
ed by  the  French;  while  the  latter,  by  their  superior  di- 
plomacy and  greater  versatility  of  character,  gained 
over  the  good  will  of  the  Otto  was  and  Northwestern  In- 


1'^! 


M 


m 


\ 

'  [4 

■mi 

if 

i,>i 

■•>il^M 

204 


nVIL    niSTORY. 


■ 


dians,  with  whom  they  traded  and  trapped  and  inter- 
married. The  l^'ronch  could  ahvays  turn  their  Indian 
allies  to  better  account  than  could  the  English;  and  on 
Hcvcral  occasions  had  large  numbers  of  them  in  service, 
and  used  them  to  great  advantage.  (Jontrecceur'a  suc- 
cessful expedition  against  Fort  Pitt,  is  a  case  in  point, 
as  is  also  IJraddock's  defeat,  and  the  engagement  with 
Col.  Bo(|uct,  in  which  tiic  French  and  Indians  were, 
however,  defeated.  In  eacli  of  these  aflairs,  the  Indians 
greatly  outnumbered  the  French.  At  this  time,  the 
French  had  also  alienated  several  tribes  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions from  tlioir  old  friends,  the  English,  though  they 
were  unable  to  retain  them  until  the  end  of  the  war. 

As  the  Indians  played  an  important  part  in  the  early 
settlement  of  this  section,  and  the  details  of  their  wars 
with  the  whites,  compose  a  good  portion  of  our  early 
history,  we  shall  indulge  in  a  few  remarks  and  reflec- 
tions upon  the  circumstarbces  of  their  existence  in  the 
land.  The  countiy  lying  on  the  waters  of  the  upper 
Ohio  does  not  appear  to  have  been  very  strictly  appro- 
priated by  any  particular  tribe  of  Indians,  hut  to  have 
been  regarded  as  a  common  hunting-ground  for  all. — 
The  mountainous  and  hilly  region  of  the  Monougahcla 
and  Allegheny,  with  its  numerous  streams,  abounding 
with  game  and  .fish,  was  roamed  over  by  parties  of 
all  the  tribes  for  a  great  distance  around.  The  numer- 
ous stone  arrow-heads  turned  up  in  every  new-plough- 
ed hill-side  and  top  throughout  this  wide  region,  is  ev- 
idence that  it  was  industriously  hunted,  while  tradition 
reports  that  at  an  early  daj,  the-  ereeks  and  rivers  liter- 
©rally  swarmed  with  fish  of  the  finest  kinds.  The  con- 
formation of  the  country  ren.dered  also  it^  vallejt  and 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


205 


ridges  the  thoroughfares  for  Indian  parties  travelling 
from  one  section  of  the  country  to  the  other,  on  their 
various  excursions  and  they  had  well  beaten  paths  in 
every  direction.  Tumuli  and  mounds  exist  in  abun- 
dance, and  along  the  river  bottoms  the  disinterment  of 
Indian  remains  are  of  frequent  occurrence.  All  this 
goes  to  show  that  the  country  was  much  frequented  by 
the  Indians,  still  it  does  not  appear  to  have  been  the 
seat  of  any  considcrsble  villages  during  the  memory 
of  the  whites,  at  least.  Small  settlements  of  a  few  huts 
like  that  atLogstowu,  Catfish  Camp,  the  Mingo  bot- 
tom, and  others  existed,  but  rather  at  the  head  quar- 
ters of  some  noted  chief  or  warrior,  than  as  the  settled 
habitation  of  any  tribe.  It  may  be,  that  the  continu- 
al liability  of  the  country  to  be  over-run  with  hunting 
parties,  often  of  hostile  tribes-,  prevented  it  being  more 
densely  populated,  certain  it  is,  that  the  principal  In- 
dian villages  wliencc  came  the  savage  irruptions  into 
the  infant  settlements  of  Virginia,  and  Pennsylvania 
were  situated  far  distant  from  this  locality.  Of  all  the 
Indian  tribes  of  which  we  read,  tlie  most  unrelenting, 
and  apparently  the  most  numerous  and  powerful  ap- 
pears to  have  been  the  Shawanees  who  dwelt  upon  the 
Miamis  and  the  flat  lands  of  Central  Ohio,  extending 
to  the  Wabash.  They  were  originally  Tennessee  In- 
dians, driven  thence  into  the  Ohio  country  by  ihe 
Creeks  at  a  period  not  very  remote.  Next  to  them  in 
importance,  appear  to  have  been  the  Delawares,  a 
powerful  tribe  driven  from  the  Susquehanna  country 
by  the  encrorching  wliites  and  located  near  neighbors 
of  the  Shawanees  with  whom  they  acted  often  in  con- 
cert. Next,  the  Ottawa's,  a  large  and  enterprising 
tribe  inhabiting  the  lake  country  to  the  Northwest  and 


ffW 


i. 


I 


f 


1' 


205 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


tholand  of  the  Illinois,  and  after  thorn  tho  Wyandottn, 
Mingoos  and  a  score  of  others — .smaller  trihes — sonio  of 
whom  had  their  vilhiges  on  tho  banks  of  the  Ohio  and 
tributary  streams,  ])ut  who  were  not  ;u;enerally  consid- 
ered very  formidable.  To  the  Northoast,  hiy  tho  coun- 
try of  the  Six  Nations,  alonff  tin;  hikes,  the  St.  I^aw- 
renco  and  the  Jfudson,  ca])ahle  of  bringing  into  tho 
field  2500  figliting  men.  The  Mohawks  were  the  most 
noted  among  those  confederat(Ml  tribes.  Among  peo- 
ple so  nomadic  in  their  habits  as  these,  it  is  diflicultto 
assign  any  very  definite  boundaries,  but  they  appear 
to  have  had  certain  rules  and  regulations  among  tliem- 
selves  which  were  scrupulously  observed.  Kach  tribe 
appears  to  have  had  a  certain  territory  and  villages  pe- 
culiar to  itself,  where  the  families,  tho  old  men  and  tho 
infirm  resided  and  to  which  tho  warriors  and  hunters 
repaired  as  to  a  general  rendezvous,  but  the  country  out- 
side of  this  ap])ears  to  have  been  occupied  and  hunted 
in  common.  This  idea  of  community  of  lands,  seems 
to  have  been  a  prevalent  one  in  Indian  polity.  Partic- 
ular tribes  had  particular  local  habitations  over  which 
they  claimed  and  exercised  exclusive  jurisdiction;  but 
all  the  balance  of  the  land  was  a  common,  to  which  all 
the  individuals  of  all  the  tribes  in  the  country  among 
whom  peace  prevailed,  had  certain  common  and  undis- 
puted rights,  which  could  not  be  violated  without  of- 
fence. We  find  Tecumpseh,  the  great  Shawnee  chief, 
who  was  dissatisfied  with  the  treaty  made  between  tho 
Indians  and  Gen.  Wayne,  after  their  disastrous  de- 
feat in  1792,  urging  as  the  ciuse  of  his  dissatisfaction 
that  the  tribes  who  were  parties  to  the  treaty,  disposed 
of  privileges  to  which  they  had  no  right.  At  the  Coudp 
cil  of  Vincennes  he  claimed  for  all  the  Indians  of  tba 


CIVIL    UI«TOUY. 


207 


r'onntry  a  ronimon  riglit  to  all  tlio  lands  in  it;  dcniotl 
tho  right  of  any  triho  to  S3ll  nny  portion  of  it  without 
tho  consent  of  all;  antl  tliorcforo,  pronounced  the  treaty 
of  Fort  Wavno,  null  and  void. 

Such  was  tho  state  of  this  Miction  at  tho  time  of  wliich 
wo  spoak  in  rcforcnco  to  tho  Jndiaii.^.  It  was  overrun 
hy  wandering  bands  of  Indians  of  divers  tribes  and 
language,  often  at  war  with  one  anotlior  and  not  very 
scrupulous  upon  wlioni  they  oo!umitt('(l  depredations, 
but  particularly  joalous  of  tho  whites,  whom  they  all 
regarded  as  intruders  npon  their  common  territory. — 
It  was  diflicult  to  effect  treaties,  and  when  violated,  it 
was  extrenndy  iliflicultto  ascertain  and  punish  the  vi- 
olation. They  wore  in  regard  to  the  whites,  more  like 
irresponsible  banditti  than  anything  else.  Distrustful 
alike  of  the  {''rench  and  JMiglish,  and  hating  equally 
both;  they^were  willing  to  lend  themselves  to  whichever 
paid  the  best  or  promised  most  opportunity  for  taking 
pale-face  scalps.  The  Indian,  naturally  blood-thirsty, 
had  in  this  case,  both  tradition  and  his  own  knowl- 
edge to  encourage  him  to  hate  ^bo  whites.  They  would 
willingly  have  exterminated  tnem,  but  they  are  cun- 
ning and  crafty,  as  well  as  brave  and  revengeful,  and 
easily  appreciating  the  hopelessness  of  open  hostility, 
they  were  disposed  to  effect  the  same  end  by  stratagem 
and  management.  It  was  a  pleasure  for  them  to  see 
their  white  brothers  engaged  in  throat  cutting,  as  it 
saved  them  the  trouble  and  the  risk.  They  fought  on 
the  Bide  both  of  the  French  and  the  English.  At  Fort 
Necessity,  Washington  was  aided  by  the  Indians,  and 
at  Braddock's  defeat  but  a  few  months  afterward,  the 
same  Indians  assisted  the  French  in  the  slaughter  of  the 
English.     Said  the  Half  King,  the  "French  were  cow- 


". 


M 


% 


■f: 
1-  ; 

il 


208 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


ards  and  V  '^  English  fools."  Crafty,  bloodthirsty  and 
crtiol,  yet  endowed  with  many  virtues,  among  which 
were  desperate  courage  and  tenacious  patriotism,  they 
were  enemies  not  to  bo  despised,  and  friends,  whose  al- 
lian«;e  was  to  bo  courted  and  purchased.  With  all 
their  faults  it  cannot  be  said  of  them  that  they  were  re- 
gardless of  the  laith  of  treaties  when  properly  under- 
stood and  fairly  treated;  or  that  their  cruelty  in  war 
was  unprovoked.  The  whites  in  both  respects  have 
much  to  answer  for.  The  Indians  were  the  original 
possessors  of  the  soil,  and  the  whites  could  advance  no 
stronger  claim  than  they,  hence  they  were  disposed  to 
regard  with  jealous  alarm  the  pretensions  of  the  P]ng* 
lish  and  French  to  the  possession  of  all  their  territory, 
even  from  the  rising  to  the  setting  sun.  Their  jealousy 
to  say  the  least,  was  but  natural,  and  much  allowance  is 
to  be  made  for  them  in  their  pertinacious  assertion  of 
what  they  deemed  their  rights.  Still,  the  Indians  had  no 
equitable  title  to  all  the  territory  over  which  they  saw 
fit  to  assert  a  claim,  any  more  than  had  the  whites;  and 
it  is  a  narrow-minded  philanthropy  that  regrets  their 
being  disposessed  of  a  land  thty  could  neither  appreci- 
ate or  improve.  The  hidian,  in  the  wisdom  of  Provi- 
dence, had  fulfilled  his  destiny;  a  stronger  and  a  sub- 
tler race  from  beyond  the  great  waters,  had  come  to 
push  him  toward  the  setting  sun,  and  though  he  might 
struggle  and  writhe  in  his  savage  agony,  yet  the  advan- 
cing wave  in  its  irresistable  majesty  swept  him  before 
it,  or  mercilessly  buried  him  and  his,  with  the  memory 
of  his  ancestors  in  the  gulf  of  oblivion.  Had  they  done 
otherwise  than  they  did,  they  would  have  been  more  or 
less  than  men;  hence  we  are  disposed  to  look  leniently 
upon  Indian  barbarities,  and  with  a  philosophic  eye  up- 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


209 


on  the  causes  and  the  manner  of  their  extermination. — 
Divested  of  romance  and  poetry — tlio  two  races  were 
antagonistic  in  almost  every  rcsp«;ct — thoy  could  not 
exist  in  peace  together — and  the  weaker  yielded, — is 
the  philosophy  of  Indian  history,  condensed. 

But  however  philosophic  in  theory,  they  were  sol- 
emn realities  to  the  pioneers.  As  early  as  the  day  of 
which  wo  write,  scattered  families  of  whites  driven  by 
the  love  of  adventure,  or  fear  of  justice,  or  allured  by 
fabulous  accounts  of  the  fecundity  of  western  soil,  had 
located  upon  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  the  Monongahela, 
the  Allegheny,  the  Kanawha,  the  Holston,  the  Poto- 
mac and  their  tributary  streams.  Distant,  hundreds 
of  miles  from  each  other,  they  were  liable  to  be  mur- 
dered in  their  cabins  by  the  marauding  Indians,  and 
their  fates  perhaps  never  be  known.  Such  cases,  there 
is  reason  t j  believe  did  happen. 

During  tlie  peace  preceding  the  French  and  Indian 
war  just  inaugurated,  these  settlements  had  increased 
in  number,  but  when  the  war  removed  from  the  Indi- 
ans, what  little  restraint  they  were  previously  under, 
settlements  ceased,  and  Indian  murders  became  so  fre- 
quent that  the  country  was  nearly,  if  not  altogether 
abandoned  by  these  sentinels  of  civili;^ation,  and  the 
clearings  left  to  grow  up  with  weeds  and  underbrush,  to 
be  again  reclaimed  in  happier  times.  Jk. duties  for 
scalps  were  offered  by  both  parties,  to  their  disgrace  be 
i^  said,  and  the  vindictive  Indian  took  a  savage  delight 
in  the  silkcui  locks  of  women  and  children,  as  well 
an  in  the  scalps  of  his  more  legitimate  victims. 

From  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  the  country 
was  a  continued  scene  of  warfare  in  detail;  but  in  1763, 
the  Indian  war  may  bo   said  to  have  commenced  in 


■  1 

Ii 

i  ~:  »l 

'''-1^1 

210 


CIVIL     HISTORY. 


\^ 


earnest,  when  the  Indians  significantly  left  a  tomahawk 
in  the  cabin  of  a  murdered  family  near  fort  Ligonier, 
as  a  formal  declaration  of  war.  Siiawanees,  Delawares, 
Mohawks,  Wyandotts,  and  Mingoes,  all  seemed  to 
unite  in  a  war  of  extirpation.  The  whites,  says  Col. 
James  Smith,  of  Kenturky,  a  veracious  man,  and  for 
many  years  an  adopted  captive  among  the  red  men, 
lost  in  the  ratio  often  to  one.  Lurking  parties  attacked 
them  in  their  cahiiis;  tli(>y  skulked  around  the  home- 
stead and  shot  the  farmers  at  their  work  or  while 
Juinting  or  journeying;  thoy  waylaid  the  emigrant  by 
water,  and  as  the  descending  craft  swept  with  the  cur- 
rent against  the  projecting  headland,  it  was  assailed 
with  rifle  bullets  by  unseen  enemies.  Under  such  tui- 
tion, our  early  settlers  became  almost  Indians  them- 
selves in  their  watchfulness  and  keen  sagacity  as  scouts, 
as  well  as  in  unrelenting  hatred  of  their  enemies. 

It  is  no  part  ofour  plan  however,  to  depict  the  hor- 
rors of  Indian  warfare.  Others  have  given  in  detail 
the  barbarities  of  both  sides;  for  ourselves,  we  would 
wnllingly  they  were  forgotten,  for  there  is  little  in  the 
record  of  attrocities  to  elevate  our  conceptions  of  hu- 
man nature  or  to  improve  or  elevate  the  race.  In  many 
cases  cold  blooded  butcheries  were  perpetrated  by  ihe 
whites,  and  in  some  cases,  without  the  shadow  of  a  jus- 
tification other  than  passion  .and  revenge.  Such  enor- 
mitior,  were  incident  to  the  war,  and  we  turn  from  them 
in  preference  to  the  more  gratt-ful  record  of  the  peaceful 
progress  of  the  conntry. 


'ii 


CHATTER    III 


BRADDOCK'S   EXPEDITION. 


Conflden(e  of  the  French— Stobo—Gon.  Braddock— Pir  John  StCiair— I'ro- 
vincia's  disi,ni.ste(l— Dcpaitiiro  df  troops — Tho  "Bhick  IL  illc"  IMlliciiltios  of 
the  ruiite— ]5attlo  (ironnd— Hatth'— Fall  of  liraddock—  \Va>liii)Klou  to  Uih 
rescue— Ihaddock's  Ueatli— French  and  ludi'ins — (ionei'  al  Panic — roiiliac  J 
War — Emigration  stopped— f'ol.  IJoipiet's  Stratiu;eni— l''rei'cli  Sujireinacy 
Will.  l'itt--Geu.,  Furbi.'> — Fort  Duijuc-uo  retaken — Furt  iiti. 

The  subsequent  warlike  proceedings  of  tlio  Englisili 
and  Virginians  in  tlicir  el'fbrts  to  dispossess  tlic  Frcncli 
from  the  valley  of  the  Ohio,  are  so  intimately 
connected  with  our  early  history,  that  we  feel  constrain- 
ed to  trace  them  further.  After  the  defeat  of  the  Vir- 
ginians at  the  Great  Meadows,  and  expulsion  from  the 
country,  the  French  appear  to  have  relaxed  in  their  vig- 
ilance at  Fort  Duquesne,  so  that  Stobo,  one  of  the  two 
hostages  left  as  security  for  the  fulfilment  of  the  articles 
of  capitulation,  found  means  to  send  to  the  government 
at  Williamsburg,  a  map  of  the  fortifications  and  a  do- 
tailed  statement  of  the  strength  and  disposition  of  the 
garrison.  Induced  by  these  representations,  it  was  de- 
termined  to  make   an  efifort  to  retake  it  from  0  outre - 

C€BUr. 


ht 


^       ; 

'M 

"' ''" 

ii 

212 


CIVIL   HI8T0RY. 


I 


A 


The  colonial  government,  although  Governor  Din- 
widdie  ound  it  very  impracticable  as  a  general  thing, 
voted  20,000  pounds  sterling  and  the  home  government 
furnished  about  the  same  amount  in  money  and  arms, 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  design.  Major 
General  Edward  Biaddock,  a  veteran  of  forty  years 
standing  in  the  most  precise  school  of  British  discipline 
jind  exact  punctilio,  was  appointed  to  conduct  the  cam- 
paign. Braddock  was  brave  and  kind  hearted,  an  ex- 
perienced soldier  according  to  routine;  but  obstinate, 
overbearing  and  lacking  in  common  sense  to  appreciate 
the  dilTcreuce  between  war  in  civilized  style  and  war  in 
tlic  wilderness.  Sir  John  St  Clair,  deputy  quarter 
master  of  the  expedition  and  a  man  of  much  influence 
in  it,  was  an  obstreperous,  swearing  Briton  of  pretty 
much  the  same  character  as  his  superior.  These  two 
officers  moulded  the  character  of  the  campaign.  A  reg- 
ulation of  the  G  overnment  degrading  the  colonial  officers 
below  officers  of  the  same  rank  in  the  King's  regiments 
had  so  disgusted  Washington,  that  he  had  retired  from 
the  service.  When  the  British  fleet  however,  with  two 
prime  regiments  of  well  equipped  soldiers  landed  in  the 
Chesapeake  and  the  brilliantly  equipped  soldiery  were 
disembarked  at  Alexandria,  almost  within  sight  of  his 
home  at  Mt.  Vernon,  it  so  stirred  the  military  ardor  of 
his  blood  that^  he  was  readily  induced  to  listen  to  over- 
tures flattering  to  his  pride;  and  to  accept  a  place  in 
Braddock's  staff.  A  convocation  of  the  governors  of 
the  different  colonies  met  at  Alexandria  to  concert 
measures  for  the  campaign.  The  result  of  their  delib- 
erations on  the  point  in  question,  was,  that  Braddock 
set  out  from  Alexandria,  on  the  20th  April  1755,  in 
great  state  attended  b^  a  military  cavalcade  for  the  ren- 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


2ia 


cers 
nts 
om 
wo 
the 
ere 
his 
of 
ler- 
in 
of 
rt 
b- 
ick 
in 


dozvous  of  the  forces  at  Wills  Creek.  By  the  30th, 
of  May,  after  much  delay  and  embarassment  the  troops 
were  all  at  Wills  Creek,  ready  for  their  march,  to  the 
number  of  nearly  three  thousand  men,  of  whom,  about 
one  half  were  British  regulars. 

They  had  not  proceeded  far  on  their  route  before  the 
General  discovered  the  nature  of  the  enterprise  in  which 
he  had  engaged.  The  Provincial  officers  would  come 
to  him  with  advice  in  his  dilemmas  but  with  a  strange 
perversity,  he  spurned  their  counsel  as  presumptuous 
and  insulted  some  of  them  by  imputations  of  caution 
amounting  to  cowardice.  Captain  Jack,  a  bold  and 
intrepid  borderer,  known  in  early  times  as  the  "Black 
Rifle"  and  a  terror  to  the  hostile  Indians,  tendered  his 
services  and  was  rebuffed  by  the  over-confident  gener- 
al and  turned  on  his  heel  with  his  band  of  a  hundred 
leather  clad  rangers  and  disappeared  in  the  woods. — 
He  would  have  been  of  the  greatest  assistance,  had  he 
continued  with  the  troops.  As  his  difficulties  increas- 
ed Braddock  condescended  to  consult  with  Washington. 
At  his  suggestion,  twelve  hundred  men  of  the  choice 
of  the  army  were  told  off,  to  march  as  rapidly  as  possi- 
ble toward  the  Forks,  while  Col.  Dunbar  was  left  be- 
hind with  the  balance  to  make  the  road  and  bring  vn 
the  heavy  artillery  and  baggage.  This  plan  promised 
iuccess.  The  army  advanced  much  more  rapidly;  the- 
expedition  having  consumed  nearly  a  month  in  accom- 
plishing one  hundred  miles.  At  length,  on  the  8th  Ju- 
ly, they  had  reached  within  fifteen  miles  of  their  destina- 
tion. Scouts  had  been  out  constantly,  and  Christo-- 
pher  Gist  returned  in  the  morning  from  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  the  fort,  narrowly  escaping  with  his  life  from 
%  couple  of  Indians,  and  xeported  the  road  clear  and  na 


.  h 


m 

m 


214 


CIVIL    mSTORY. 


m 


I  : 


r  ' 


I 


enemy  to  be  seen  in  force  about  the  premises.  At  th« 
poiut  they  then  occupied,  the  hills  came  down  bluff  to 
the  water,  forming  a  narrow  pass  of  some  two  miles  on 
the  side  of  tlie  river  on  which  the  fort  was  situated, 
whieli  it  was  considered  dangerous  to  attempt;  and  it 
was  resolved  to  ford  it  and  march  down  some  five  miles 
on  the  other  side  and  again  rccross.  At  day  break,  th« 
next  morning,  tlie  troops  were  put  in  motion.  They 
forded  the  ]\loMongahcla  with  all  tlie  precision  and  de- 
liberate confidence  of  a  parade.  Their  arms  glittered 
in  the  sunlight  and  their  accoutrements  were  all  in  fault- 
less order,  as  they  formed  on  the  opposite  bank  and 
marched  along  the  open  valley.  The  officers  were  all 
in  full  uniform  and  all  loolvcd  as  if  arrayed  rather  for  a 
fete  than  for  a  battle.  Washington,  wlio  had  been  sick 
and  left  behind  to  recover,  at  Fort  Necessity,  and  had 
rejoined  them  but  the  day  before  still  indisposed;  smar- 
ting under  the  contemptuous  rejection  by  Braddock  of 
his  cautious  suggestion  that  he  should  keep  the  Virgin- 
ia rangers  in  advance  of  tlie  regulars,  as  more  accustom- 
ed to  the  mode  of  warfare,  nevertheless  looked  upon  tne 
pageant  with  an  admiring  cve.  Housed  to  new  life,  h« 
lorgot  his  repulses  and  all  his  recent  ailments  and  brok« 
forthin  expressions  of  enjoyment  and  admiration  as  he 
rode  in  company  with  his  fellow  aids  de  camp,  Orme 
and  Morris.  Often,  in  after  life,  he  used  to  speak  of  th« 
effect  upon  hiui,  of  a  well  disciplined  European  army, 
marching  in  high  coniidence  and  bright  array,  on  the 
eve  of  a  battle. 

About  noon  they  reached  the  second  ford,  Gage,  with 
the  advance,  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Moncnga- 
hela,  posted  according  to  orders;  but  the  river  bank  had 
not  been  sufiiciently  sloped.     The  artillery  and  baggag* 


^i.i 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


215 


the 

nih 
fg*- 

ig« 


wagons,  drew  up  along  the  beaoh  and  halted  until  one, 
when  the  second  crossing  took  place,  drums  beating, 
fifes  playing,  and  colors  flying  as  before.  When  all 
had  passed,  there  was  again  a  halt  close  by  a  small  stream 
called  Frazer's  Run,  until  the  General  arranged  the  or- 
der  of  march. 

First  went  the  advance,  under  Oafro,  preceded  by  the 
engineers  andguaids,  and  six  light  liors«'nian,  then  Sir 
John  St.  Clair,  and  the  working  party  witli  their  wag- 
ons and  two  six  pounders  and  on  each  side  were  thrown 
out  four  flanking  parties.  Then  at  some  distance,  tbe 
General  was  to  follow  with  the  main  bodv,  the  artillerv 
and  baggage  preceded  and  flanked  by  Mght  horse  and 
squads  of  infantry;  wliile  the  Virginia  and  provincial 
troops,  were  to  form  the  rear  guard. 

The  ground  before  them  was  level  until  about  half  a 
mile  from  the  river,  when  a  rising  ground  covered  with 
long  grass,  low  bushes  and  scattered  trees,  sloped  gently 
up  to  a  range  of  hills.  Th.e  whole  country,  generally 
speaking.,  was  a  forest,  with  no  clear  opening  but  tli« 
road,  which  was  about  twelve  feet  wide,  and  flanked  by 
two  ravines  concealed  by  trees  and  thicket^.  It  was 
now  near  two  o'clock.  Tlie  advance  party  and  the 
working  party  had  crossed  the  plain  and  were  ascend- 
ing the  rising  ground.  Biaddock  was  about  to  follow 
with  the  main  body  and  had  given  the  word  to  march, 
when  he  heard  a  quick  and  excessively  heavy  firing  in 
front.  Washington,  who  was  with  tlie  General,  sur- 
mised that  the  evil  he  had  apprehetidcd  had  come  to  pass. 
For  want  of  scouting  parties  ahead,  the  advance  par- 
ties were  suddenly  and  warmly  attacked.  The  firing 
continued  \vith  a  fearlul  yelling.  There  was  a  terrible 
tiproar.     The  general  sent  forward  an  aid  to  ascertain 


M 


I  ; 


■in 

,  ;. 

; 

1    ■■'! 

'. 

'  m 

m 

:|| 

'  ■^-  ■" 

;-5 

li 

i 

\ 


t 


! 


216 


CIVIL     HISTORY. 


and  report  to  him  the  cause,  and  too  impatient  to  wait 
Bpurred  after  his  messenger.  The  turmoil  increased. 
The  van  of  the  advance  had  been  taken  by  surprise. 
It  was  composed  of  two  companies  of  carpenters  or  pi- 
oneers to  cut  the  road  and  two  flank  companies  of  gren- 
adiers to  protect  ihem.  Suddenly  the  engineer  who 
preceded  them  gave  the  alarm,  "French  and  Indians." 
A  body  of  these  latter  was  approaching  rapidly,  cheer- 
ed on  by  a  Frenchman  in  a  gaily  fringed  hunting  shirt, 
who  was  slain  in  the  charge  and  proved  to  be  the  com- 
mander of  the  attacking  party.  Captain  de  Beaujeu. 

There  was  sharp  firing  on  both  sides  at  first  and  sev- 
eral of  the  enemy  foil;  but  soon  a  murderous  fire  broke 
out  from  the  ravine  on  the  right  of  the  road,  and  the 
woods  resounded  wi'h  unearthly  whoops  and  yellings. 
The  Indian  ride  was  at  work,  leveled  by  unseen  hands. 
The  advance  was  killed  or  driven  in.  Gage  ordered 
his  grenadiers  to  fix  bayonets  and  charge  up  a  hill  on 
the  right  whence  there  was  the  severest  firing.  Not  a 
platoon  would  move.  They  were  dismayed  and  stupi- 
fied  as  much  by  the  yells  as  by  the  riiles  of  the  unseen 
Bavages.  The  latter  extended  themselves  along  the 
hill  and  in  the  ravines;  but  their  whereabouts  was  only 
known  by  their  demoniac  cries  anil  the  pufifs  of  umoke 
from  their  riiles.  As  the  covert  Ore  grew  more  intense, 
the  trepidation  of  the  regulars  increased.  They  fired  at 
random  whenever  they  saw  a  motion  and  shot  some  of 
their  own  flnnking  parties  and  of  tlie  rangers  who  had 
like  the  Indians,  taken  to  the  trees  and  were  doing  good 
execution.  All  oiders  were  unheeded.  The  officers 
were  doubly  exposed  and  in  a  very  short  time  were 
most  of  them  shot  down.  The  advance  fell  back  upon 
Sir  John  St.JOlair's  corps,  which  was  equally  dismayed. 


m 


CIVIL    HI8T0UY. 


21: 


Col.  Burton,  had  come  up  with  the  reinforceraonts, 
and  was  forming  his  m-Mi  to  face  the  rising  ground  on 
the  riglit  when  both  of  the  advanced  detachments  fell 
h&ok  upon  him,  and  all  now  was  confusion. 

The  Virginia  troops,  accustomed  to  the  Indian  mode 
of  fighting,  scattered  themselves,  and  took  posts  be- 
hind trees  whore  they  could  pick  off  the  lurking  foe. — 
In  this  way  they  in  some  degree  protected  the  regulars. 
Washington  advised  the  General  to  adopt  the  same  mode 
with  the  regulars,  but  he  persisted  in  forming  them  in- 
to platoons;  consequently  they  were  cut  down  from  be- 
hind logs  and  trees  as  fast  as  they  could  advance.  Jt 
was  little  better  than  murder  for  men  to  be  thus  ex- 
posed. Some  of  them  attempted  to  take  to  tlie  trees 
without  orders,  but  the  general  stormed  at  them,  called 
them  cowards  and  even  struck  them  with  his  sword. 

The  slaughter  among  the  officers  was  tremendous. — 
They  behaved  with  the  most  consumate  bravery.  In 
the  desperate  hope  of  inspiriting  the  men  they  could 
no  longer  command,  they  would  dash  forward  singly  or 
in  groups.  They  were  invariably  shot  down;  for  the 
Indians  aimed  from  their  coverts  at  everyone  on  horse- 
back or  who  seemed  to  have  command.  Some  were 
killed  by  their  own  men,  who  crowded  in  masses,  fired 
with  affrighted  rapidity.  Soldiers  in  the  front  were 
killed  by  those  in  the  rear.  Between  friend  and  foe. 
the  slaughter  of  officers  and  men  was  terrible.  All  this 
time,  the  woods  resounded  with  the  unearthly  yelling 
of  the  savages,  and  now  and  then,  one  of  them,  hide- 
ously painted,  and  ruffling  with  feathered  crest,  would 
rush  forth  to  scalp  an  officer  who  had  fallen,  or  sieze  a 
horse  galloping  wildly  without  a  rider.  Such  is  a  des- 
cription of  the  battle  as  depicted  by  the  graphic  pen  of 


k^ 


t 


m 

I: 


II 


218 


civifi  nrsToiiY. 


I  y     n 


Irving.  Such  an  unmitigated  slaughter  couhl  notion^ 
continue.  Nearly  all  the  icgulnr  ofticcrs  wore  disabled, 
the  troops  wore  paralyzed  by  the  panic,  all  subordina- 
tion was  lost,  Braddock  with  obstinate  bravery  still  at- 
tempvcd  to  retrieve  the  fortunes  of  the  day,  when  a  bul- 
let, aimed,  it  is  doubtful  whether  by  friend  or  foe,  pas- 
sed through  his  right  arm  and  into  his  lungs,  and  ho 
fell  from  his  horse,  having  already  had  five  horses  shot 
under  him.  In  his  despair  he  wished  to  bo  left  upon 
the  tield  to  die,  but  was  with  difficulty  removed.  The 
principal  command  now  devolved  upon  Washington. 
Throughout  the  day,  he  had  signalized  himself  by  h'ln 
calm  courago  and  great  presence  of  raind.  Ho  exposed 
himself  without  reserve  to  the  murderous  rillo,  and  his 
escape  seems  little  short  of  miraculous.  Two  horses 
were  killed  under  him,  and  four  bullets  passed  through 
his  coat,  nevertheless,  he  escaped  unhurt. 

After  the  fall  of  Braddock,  the  rout  was  complete. 
Baggage,  stores,  artillery,  everything  was  abandoned. 
The  wagonerg,  took  each  a  horse  out  of  his  team  and  tied. 
The  officers  were  swept  along  in  the  headlong  flight. — 
The  Indians  rushed  from  their  coverts,  and  pursued  tho 
frightened  fugitives,  as  they  dished  across  the  river,  in 
the  tumultuous  confusion,  killing  many  while  in  tho 
stream.  A  body  of  them  were  rallied  at  a  spot  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  beyond  the  river,  where  Braddock  had 
been  conveyed,  and  an  effort  made  to  effect  a  stand,  small 
parties  were  told  off,  and  sentinels  posted,  bnt  before  an 
hour  had  elapsed,  most  of  the  men,  sentinels  and  all, 
had  stolen  off.  Being  thus  deserted,  there  was  no  al- 
ternative, but  a  precipitate  retreat. 

Washington  was  sent  back  to  Dunbar's  camp,  forty 
miles  distant,  to  carry  the  news,  and  to  hurry  forwarul 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


219 


lj;jrovi9ion.s,  hospital  stoics  nnd  wagons  )br  the  wciind- 
■0(1,  but  the  tidings  had  reached  Dunbar  before  his  arri- 
val, and  the  camp  was  wrought  into  the  greatest  trepi- 
dation by  the  exaggerated  reports  of  the  frightened  fu- 
gitives, and  it  was  with  the  greatest  difticulty  a  prooipi- 
tnte  liight  was  prevented  by  the  officers. 

The  detachment  escorting  the  wounded  General,  aug- 
mented to  a  couple  of  hundred  men  and  officers,  rcach- 
•cd  Dunbar's  camp,  on  the  12th,  and  on  the  13th,  the 
ontire  force  took  up  its  melancholy  march,  back  again 
to  t  he  Great  Meadows,  which  they  reached  in  the  even- 
ing.    Here,  Braddockdied,  on  the  night  of  the  llUli. — 
His  proud  spirit  was  broken  by  defeat,  and  the  diffi- 
culty  with   him   seemed   to  bo  to  comprehend  how  it 
came  to  pass.     He  was  grateful  for  the  attentions  paid 
to    him   by   Captain    Stewart  of  the  Provincials   and 
Washington, and  more  than  once  it  is  said,exprcssed  his 
•jidmiration  of  the  gallantry  displayed  by  the  Virginians 
in  the  action.     It  is  said,  moreover,  that  in  his  last  mo- 
mimts,  he  apologized  to  Washington  for  the  petulanw 
with  which  he  had  rejected  his  advice,  and  be({ue<ithed 
to   him   his   favorite   charger  and  his  faithful  servant, 
Bishop,  who  had  helped  to  convey  him  from  the  tiold. 
His  obsequies  were  performed  in  sadness  and  before  the 
break  of  day,  Washington  reading  the  funeral   service 
in  the  absence  of  the  chaplain,  who  had  been  wounded, 
and  his  grave  was  carefully  concealed  so  as  to  avoid 
desecration  by  the  lurking  savages.     The   p^acc  of  his 
sepulchre,  however,  is  still  known  and  pointed  out  and 
wo  believe  a  monument  now  marks  the  spot.     The  last 
■acts  of  his  life  displayed  the  real  generosity  and  kind- 
heartedness  of  the  man;  while  his  dauntless  conduct  on 
4he  field,  shows  him  to  have  been  a  fearless  as  well  as 


I  s.  i 


I  ■■  m. 


m 


n 


220 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


1, 1 


1; 


.1 


f 


an  accomplishod  soldier.  Technical  pedantry  and  mil- 
itary conceit  were  the  chief  errors  of  his  character,  and 
hitterly  ho  expiated  them  by  an  nnhonored  grave  in  a 
strange  land,  a  memory  clouded  by  miHfortune  and  a 
name  forever  coupled  with  defeat. 

Out  of  eighty-six  officers  seventy-two  wore  killed  or 
wounded,  and  of  the  rank  and  file  upward  of  seven  hun- 
dred.    The  Virginia  corps  sufferod  terribly.     One  com- 
pany was  annihilated,  another  had  but  one  officer  left  and 
he,  a  corporal.     Their  assailants  wore  but  a  compara- 
tive handful,   being  not  the  main  force  of  the  French, 
but  a  detachment  of  92  regulars,  140  Canadians  and 
037  Indians,  875  in  all,  led  by  Oapt»  do  Beaujeu.    Oon- 
trecocur,  had  received  information  that  the  English  3000 
strong,  were  within  eighteen  miles  of  his  fort.    Despair- 
ring  of  making  an  effectual  defence  against  such  a  su- 
perior force,  he  was  balancing  in  liis  mind  whether  to 
destroy  the   works  and   retreat,  or  to  stay  and  obtain 
honorable  terms.     In  this  dilemma,  Beaujeu  prevailed 
upon  him  to  allow  him  to  sally  forth  with  a  detachment 
to  form  an  ambush  and  give  check  to  the  enemy.     His 
ref[uest  was  granted  as  a  sort  of  forlorn  hope.     Beaujeu, 
not  having  time  to  complete  his  ambush,  the  attack 
was   precipitated   and   Beaujeu  fell,  almost  at  the  first 
fire.     His  Indians,  however,  fpread  themselves  among 
the  trees  and  logs  along  the  whole  length  of  the  army 
and  in  a  marvellously  short  time  the  whole  line  was  at 
once   assailed.     Their  ritie  shots  spread  like  wild  fire, 
and  the  woods  resounded  with   their  yells.     Then,  en- 
sued the  panic  and  slaughter — as  the  Indians   expres- 
sed it,  they  shot  them  down  "same  as  one  pigeon." — 
The  whole  number  of  killed  and  wounded  of  the  French 
and  Indians,  did  not  exceed  seventy.    No  one  was  more 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


«>01 


y 


surprised  than  (Jontrccuiur  himself,  when  the  ambus- 
cading party  returned  in  triumph,  with  a  long  train  of 
paekhorses  hulen  with  booty,  the  savages  uucouthly 
clad  in  the  garments  of  the  slain — grenadier  caps,  ofii- 
ccrs  gold  laced  coats  and  glittering  epaulets,  flourishing 
swords  and  sabres,  or  tiring  olf  muskets  and  uttering 
fiendish  yells  of  victory.  Uut  when  he  was  informed 
of  the  utter  defeat  of  the  British  army,  his  joy  was  com- 
plete, he  ordered  the  guns  of  the  Fort  to  be  fired  in  tri- 
umph, and  sent  out  troops   in  pursuit  of  the  fugitives. 

We  have  thus  been  particular  in  narrating  the  fate 
of  the  Expedition; — in  doing  which  we  have  drawn 
largely  upon  Irving's  Life  of  Washington — because, 
in  the  first  place  it  is  a  notable  incident  in  our  history, 
and  in  the  next,  because  it  was  followed  with  most  im- 
portant consequences  to  the  country  at  large.  Brad- 
dock's  defeat  elated  the  Indians,  and  encouraged  them 
to  carry  desolation  even  beyond  the  mountains.  Win- 
chester was  threatened,  an. I  the  valley  of  Virginia  was 
almost  deserted  of  its  inhabitants,  emigration  of  course 
stopped  and  the  prospect  was  gloomy  in  the  extreme. 
•  If  it  was  not  the  severest  check  British  power  ever  re- 
ceived on  the  continent,  it  was  certainly  the  most  hu- 
miliating. The  entire  campaign  was  a  compound  of 
mismanagement,  cowardice  and  misfortune.  Its  con- 
sequences van  forward  into  the  revolution.  The  mili- 
tia ascertained  that  the  British  regulars  were  not  by 
any  means  invincible,  and  gained  confidence  in  them- 
selves and  in  their  officers,  while  the  attempt  of  the 
home  government  to  compel  the  colonies  to  pay  part  of 
the  expenses  of  this  very  expedition,  was  a  prominent 
incentive  to  the  rebellion  of  1775. 

Fiom  this  time  until  1763,   raged  what   was  callW 


I      ,    ■! 


t  V 


f 


/i- 


I  m 


■i  1 


222 


CIVIL   BISTORT. 


!i 


Pontiac's  war,  one  of  the  most  awful  periods  of  dfs^- 
tress  over  before  or  afterwards  experienced  in  the  wes- 
tern country.  This  was  closed  by  the  decisive  victory 
of  Col.  Boquet  at  Brushy  Run  in  Westmoreland  coun- 
ty, Pa.,  in  the  August  of  that  year,  which  so  disnir.yod 
the  savages  that  they  gave  up  not  only  all  further  de- 
signs against  Fort  Pitt,  and  the  surrounding  country, 
^jut  withdrew  temporarily  from  the  frontiers.  In  this 
engagement,  the  Indians  were  themselves  ambushed 
and  defeated,  in  a  style  similar  to  that  which  eight  yearr. 
before  they  had  so  effectually  used  against  Braddock. 
The  English  army  consisting  of  about  five  hundred  men, 
the  remnant  of  two  regiments  of  Highlanders,  more 
than  decimated  by  disease  in  the  West  India  ser- 
vice and  sent  into  the  northern  woods  to  recuperate, 
was  marching  with  a  large  convoy  of  stores,  through 
the  wilderness  on  the  4th  of  August  1763,  with  no  ap- 
pearance of  an  enemy  in  sight,  when  suddenly  at  mid- 
day, the  advance  as  in  Braddock*^s  case,  was  violently 
attacked.  But  the  Highlanders,  better  prepared'  than 
their  predecessors,  charged  them  with  fixed  bayonets, 
and  drove  the  savages  before  them,  but  with  considera-  * 
ble  loss  to  themselves.  Thev  f;ll  back,  and  the  sav- 
ages  swarmed  around  them,  confident  of  victory,  thirs- 
ting for  their  blood,  and  yelling  with  fiendish  delight, 
at  the  prospect  of  another  Saturnalia  of  carnage.  But 
Boquet  was  cooler  and  shrewder  than  Braddock.  Per- 
ceiving the  overwrought  iiudacity  of  the  savages,  ho 
took  advantage  of  it.  Posting  two  strong  companies, 
concealed  Ixi  the  underbrush,  at  each  side  of  his  road, 
he  commenced  a  precipitate  and  apparently  disorderly 
retreat.  Tlie  savages  fell  into  the  snare.  Thinking 
that  the  English  were  really  in  confusion  and  retroftt ' 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


223 


■■•■  !;  1 


ing,  they  dashed  yelling  from  their  coverts,  in  full  pur- 
suit; when  the  t\TO  concealed  companies  assailed  the 
exposed  mass  with  a  heavy  fire  on  either  flank;  ard  at 
tlio  signal,  the  retreating  troops  faced  about  and  pour- 
ed into  the  astonished  Indians  such  close  and  galling 
vollies,  that  they  were  stricken  with  panic,  and  yielding 
to  the  irresistable  impulse,  were  utterly  routed  and  put 
to  flight.  It  was  a  deathblow  to  the  Indians  and  a  dear 
victory  to  the  English.  Boquet,  lost  in  killed  and 
wounded,  about  one  fourth  of  his  men;  and  was  hardly 
able  to  convey  his  wounded — stores  and  everything  else 
being  destroyed — to  Fort  Pitt  which  he  reached  four 
davs  after  the  battle. 

From  Boquet's  victory,  dates  the  undisputed  posses- 
sion of  the  Ohio  valley  to  the  white  man.  The  power 
of  Pontiac,  the  "Colossal  chief  of  the  Northwest,"  was 
broken;  his  adherents  were  dispirited  by  defeat,  and 
sued  of  the  whites  for  peace;  but  the  name  of  the  chief- 
tain still  hovers  over  the  Northwest,  as  that  of  the  hero 
who  devised  and  conducted  their  great  but  unavailing 
struggle  with  destiny,  for  the  independence  of  their 
'  race.  In  this  war,  they  scalped  over  a  hundred  traders 
in  the  woods,  they  mui-dered  many  families  in  their  hab- 
itations, Ihey  besieged  and  took  by  force  or  stratagem 
numerous  forts,  and  slew  their  inmates;  thev  threatened 
the  very  strongholds  of  the  whites;  passed  the  moun- 
tains, nnd  spread  death  and  terror  even  to  Bedford, 
Winchester,  and  Fort  Cumberland.  Nearly  five  hun- 
dred families  from  the  frontiers  of  Maryland  and  Vir- 
ginia fled  to  Winchester,  unable  to  find  even  so  much 
as  a  hovel  to  shelter  them  from  the  weather,  bare  of  ev- 
ery comfort  and  forced  to  lie  scattered  in  the  woods. 

In  the  mean  time*  the  defeat  of  Braddock  and  iU  ter- 


SM 


h  : 


w 


i .  i;; . 


ti24 


CIVIL    niSTORY. 


■s 


rible  consequcm-es,  had  vacated  nearly  every  English 
cabin  in  the  valley  of  the  Ohio.  Of  the  North  Ameri- 
ran  continent  of  twenty-five  parts,  France  claimed  twen- 
ty; leaving  but  four  to  England  and  one  to  Spain.  She 
had  in  the  execution  of  her  plan,  connected  the  great 
valleys  of  the  St.  Laivrence  and  the  Mississippi,  by 
three  well  known  routes, — by  way  of  Lake  Erie  and 
Waterford  to  Fort  Duqncsne,  by  way  of  the  Maumee  to 
Shawneetowu  at  the  mouth  of  the  Wabash,  and  by 
way  of  Chicago,  down  the  Illinois,  and  she  seemed  pre- 
pared and  able  by  arms  and  art,  to  make  good  her  claim 
of  possession. 

The  war  started  in  America  had  embroiled  the  pa- 
rent countries.  Misfortune  and  mismanagement  seem- 
ed to  attend  every  motion  of  the  English.  The}''  were 
effectually  humiliated,  yet  with  true  British  doggedness 
they  were  neither  conquered  or  discouraged  from  fur- 
ther attempts  at  retrieving  their  fortunes.  The  minis- 
try determined  to  regain  and  hold  the  supremacy  of 
tho  western  world.  They  found  the  colonies  iu  liioir  n  - 
semblies  impracticable,  headstrong  as  themselves;  the 
spirit  of  independence  sturdily  asserting  itseli  at  every 
show  of  arbitrary  power  on  the  part  of  the  crown.  Still 
they  persevered.  William  Pitt,  the  great  commoner, 
who  had  now  risen  through  diflicultv  and  all  manner  of 
opposition  to  the  ministry  of  Englan*!,  trusted  and  lo- 
ved by  tho  people  for  his  manly  qualities;  feared  and 
respected  by  tho  nobility  for  his  ability  and  boldness, 
had  become  the  ruling  spirit  at  honie.  In  collonial  mat- 
ters, when  entreated  to  interpose,  he  regarded  the  bick- 
ering be*  ween  the  people  and  the  asscrtors  of  preroga- 
tive, with  calm  impartiality  and  blamed  both  parties 
for   tho     failure  of  the  English  arms  and  policy  in 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


America.  Ho  determined  to  retake  fort  Duquesne,  us 
apart  of  his  far  reaching  plans  of  re-coiiquest.  Tlio 
colonies  themselves  felt  their  honor  at  stake,  and  tho 
Assemblies  seconded  his  determination  with  unnsiuil 
>5eal.  Twelve  hundred  md  fifty  Highlanders  arrivod 
from  South  Carolina  and  rendezvoused  at  Fort  Cum- 
berland. Pennsylvania  added  twenty  seven  hundred 
men,  and  tho  "Old  Dominion"  nineteen  hundred  more, 
besides  a  corps  of  three  hundred  and  filty  Koyal  Amer- 
ican volunteers.  This  overwhelming  force  foi  Iho  ser- 
vice, wa«  put  in  motion  under  the  command  of  Briga- 
dier General  Joseph  Forbes,  called  tho  "Iron  Head" 
an  able  oflicer  but  in  the  last  stages  of  a  fatal  disease. 
Here,  tho  fortunes  of  Washington  again  mingle  with 
those  of  tho  Ohio  country.  He  was  stationed  at  Fort 
(Juraborland  with  the  Virginia  troops  and  insisted  upon 
advancing  promptly  along  l>iaddock's  road;  but  was 
provoked  at  tho  dilatory  policy  of  Forbes,  in  having  a 
new  road  cut  througli  the  wilderness  nearly  parallel 
therewith. 

Intelligence  having  come  to  hand  that  Fort  Duquesno 
was  defended  by  but  five  hundred  French  and  throe 
hundred  Indians,  Majwr  Grant  with  SCO  highlanders, 
and  some  Virginians,  was  detached  by  (Jol.  Boqnet, 
without  the  knowledge  of  P'orbos,  to  surprise  and  take 
the  Fort.  The  vainglory  of  the  Major,  led  to  his  defeat, 
and  the  rout  of  his  army  with  a  loss  of  300  men;  the 
baliuice  being  saved  only  by  tlio  good  conduct  of  the 
provincials.  Washington  v^as  then  permitted  to  pro- 
ceed with  his  Brigade  of  Provincials  to  attempt  the  cap- 
ture of  the  Fort,  the  ga'-rison  of  which  having  been  re- 
inforced by  four  hundred  men  from  tho  Illinois,  was 
now  near  twelve  huj.i.ed  strong.   As  Washington  and 


m 


J* 


! 


I    h 


'm'm\ 


Hi 


.ii, 


226 


CIVIL   HI8T0RV. 


■ 


his  Brigade  advancing  by  forced  marches,  and  followed 
by  the  main  army  approached  the  Forks,  the  Indiana 
deserted  them,  and  on  the  25th  November  1758,  redu- 
ced to  500  men,  the  garrison  disheartened  by  the  pros- 
pect, set  the  fort  on  fire,  and  by  the  light  of  the  confla- 
gration descended  the  Ohio.  This  took  place  in  sight 
of  the  youthful  American  hero,  and  ere  the  smouldering 
flames  of  the  fortress  had  expired,  he  planted  the  Brit- 
ish flag  on  its  deserted  ruins.  Thus,  without  the  fi- 
ring of  a  TkO'^tilo  gun,  or  the  spilling  of  a  single  drop 
of  blood  xi  ttle,  was  accomplished  by  the  Pro- 
vincial Major,  ad  his  Virginia  brigade,  what  the  mar- 
tinets of  the  British  army,  with  the  power  of  England 
at  their  back,  had  expended  hundreds  of  lives  to  ac- 
complish, and  failed  in  the  effort.  Gen.  Forbes  about 
this  time,  died.  Thus  fell  French  supremacy  in  the  val- 
ley of  the  Ohio. 

As  the  banners  of  England  floated  over  the  Ohio,  the 

place  was  with  one  voice  called  Pittsburgh.  It  is  the 
most  enduring  trophy  of  the  glory  of  AVm.  Pitt.  "Long 
as  the  Monongahela  and  the  Allegheny  ehall  flow,"  says 
Bancroft,  "to  form  the  Ohio,  long  as  the  English 
tongue  shall  be  the  language  of  Freedom  in  tha  bound- 
less valleys  .vhich  their  waters  traverse,  his  name  shall 
stand  inscribed  on  the  gateway  of  the  west." 


CHAPTER  IV. 
SEITLEMENTS,  TITLES   AND  BOUNDARIES. 


Early  Boundary  DUputea— Fir^t  Settlrments— Pennsylvania  and  Virf^inia 
State  Line— PiitentK — LUisratiou — Titles — Lord  l)unroore — Conolly— Kevo- 
lution — Capt  John  Neville— Early  Patriotism— S'.'ttleraent  of  Boundary 
Disputes — The  Panhandle — Origin  of  the  name — Ohio  county — West  Lib- 
erty-Original Settlers— Characteristics — Early  Enterprise— I  migration — 
Weighty   Characters. 

At  a  very  early  day,  as  far  back,  at  least,  as  the  com- 
inoiieement  of  the  18th  century,  disputes  arose  as  to  the 
title  of  the  land  lying  on  the  waters  of  the  Ohio,  which 
were  never'definitely  and  authoritatively  settled  until  af- 
ter the  war  of  the  revolution.  The  French  claimed  the 
entire  country  from  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  to  tho 
head  springs  of  the  Ohio,  by  virtue  of  discovery,  under 
the  name  of  Louisiana,  while  the  English  claimed  from 
Plymouth  and  Jamestown,  west,  to  the  other  ocean,  un- 
der titles  claimed  by  the  "divine  right*'  of  King  James 
and  his  successors.  Subordinate  to  these  original  claimn 
were  the  claims  of  the  proprietaries  of  the  different  States 
indefinitely  worded,  and  of  necessity,  often  clashing. — 
Some  of  these,  again,  recognised  a  sort  of  title  in  the 
Indians,  which  in  some  cases,  they  purchased  for  con- 
fiiderations  more  or  less  valuable,  and  in  others,  siezed, 
by  virtue  of  conquest.    It  is  believed  that  no  white  man 


f\-i 


'■m 


'■'  1  mi 


tifj 


:  1     \m  <■': 


!  W'{  I 


22S 


CIVIL    HISTORY, 


li, 


trod  tlie  slioixjs  of  the  Ohio  or  its  upper  branches,  prior 
to  1700;  as  early,  however,  as  1715-20,  an  occasional 
trader  ventured  beyond  the  mountains,  and  among  the 
first  of  these,  says  the  historian  of  Western  Pennsylva- 
^^  ^(j-yJ-  '^'^>  ^vas  James  L.  Fort,  who  took  up  his  residence  at 
what  is  now  Carlisle,  in  1720.  A  Mr.  Frazer  was  a 
prominent  trader  among  the  Indians,  at  about  this  date, 
and  resided  at  the  mouth  of  Turtle  Creek,  on  the  Mo- 
nongahola.  The  settlement  by  the  Ohio  Company,  pre- 
viously referred  to,  at  the  Forks,  may  be  considered  as 
the  first regukirly  attempted  white  settlement.  At  about 
this  period,  tiie  entire  region  was  generally  believed  to 
belong  to  Virginia — though,  the  grant  to  the  proprieta- 
ry of  Pennsylvania,  expressly'  guaranteed  to  him  the 
country  from  a  certain  point  on  the  Delaware  river,  the 
starting  point  of  the  celebrated  "Mason  &  Dixon's  line," 
rive  degrees  of  longitude  west.  The  ideas  of  geography 
in  those  day<»',  were,  however,  somewhat  indefinite;  and 
Virginia  had  counter-claims,  ■which  she  put  in;  and  at 
Any  rate,  she  exercised  jurisdiction  over  all  that  portion 
of  what  is  now  Pennsylvania,  included  between  the  Mo- 
nongahela  and  the  Ohio,  and  an  indefinite  territory  be- 
sides, beyond  her  present  boundary.  This  entire  scope 
of  country  was  called  West  Augusta,  by  the  Virginians, 
and  embraced  from  the  Blue  Ridge  west  to  the  Mississ- 
ippi. By  a  law,  passed  in  1769,  forming  the  new  coun- 
ty of  Botetourt'  from  Augusta,*  it  being  considered  that 
the  people  living  on  the  waters  of  the  Mississippi,  would 
be  seriously  incommoded,  by  reason  of  remoteness  from 
the  Court-house  of  Botetourt,  they  were  considerately 
exempted  from  the  payment  of  levies  imposed  for  the 
building  of  the  Court-house  and  jail.  The  county  of 
Fincastlc  carved  out  of  this,  in  1772,  was  again  subdi- 


I        i: 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


•22l> 


vidcii  in  1776,  into  Kentucky,  Washington  and  Mont- 
gomery counties.  Thus,  vague  and  indeterminate,  weio 
the  boundaries  of  this  region,  only  eiglity  years  ago. — 
After  Fort  Pitt  came  into  the  hands  of  tlie  English,  bv 
the  treaty  of  Grenville,  in  1765,  and  during  the  lull  in 
Indian  hostilities  subsequent  to  the  eventa  before  narra- 
ted, emigration  having  again  commenced,  and  sottle- 
inents  having  been  gradually  made  along  the  various, 
streams,  as  the  population  increased,  boundaries  became- 
of  more  importance.  The  Western  portion  of  the  di(=<- 
trict,  comprising  the  territory  lying  upon  and  between 
the  waters  of  the  Monongahela  and  the*  Ohio,  took  tlie 
name  of  Yo-ho-gania,  as  appears  by  the  Virginia  pat- 
ents of  that  date,  which  name  was  retained  up  to  as  late 
as  1785.  Still,  however,  boundaries  remained  undeter- 
mined, and  had  become  the  so  race  of  frequent  litigation, 
80  that  it  became  indispensibly  necessary  to  settle  them 
authoritatively,  at  least,  between  the  different  States. — 
Forty  miles  of  territory  was  in  the  anomalous  condition 
of  belonging  to  two  jurisdictions;  the  inhabitants  recog- 
nizing either  or  neither,  as  suited  their  present  inclina- 
tions"^ Virginia  had  two  Court-houses  South  of  tlie  Mo- 
nongahela, and  one  North,  at  Redstone,  now  Browns- 
ville. She  at  one  time  fixed  a  seat  of  Justice  at  "lla- 
zorlown,"  two  miles  West  of  what  is  now  Washing- 
ton, and  at  onetime,  the  Pennsylvania  proprietary  of- 
fered to  compromise,  by  making  the  Monongahela  and 
the  Ohio  the  boundary,  thus  taking  in  "Yo-ho-gania," 
into  Virginia.  But  Virginia  claimed  to  the  Laurel  Moun- 
tain. The  location  of  land  warrants  was  the  immediate 
subject  of  litigation.  The  Virginia  laws,  on  thia  sub- 
ject, were  very  liberal — the  Indian  title  was  now  consid- 
ered to  have  been  conquered  ia  the  war,  and  all  that  wap. 


? 


i 


I 


f-r 


il 


H 


i 
11^ 


f. 


i. 


M 


i 
i  1 

'.,1 


ti. 


s«o 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


necessary  to  give  validity  to  title,  were  such  restrictions 
«k9  wore  necessary  to  prevent  confusion.     Six  months' 
time  was  to  intervene  between  the  registry  of  the  claim 
at  the  land-o(Hce,  and  the  issue  of  a  patent     The  pat» 
«nt,  cost  surveying  and  ofiicer'H  fees  and  $2  per  hundred 
acres  of  land.     These  conditions  complied  with,  the  pat- 
ent was  issued.     Priority  of  claim  was  also  established 
by  "tomahawk  right, "--the  claimant  of  a  particular 
piece  of  land,  marking  out  a  line  through  the  woods  by 
^'blazing, "  or  "chipping  out,"  the  trees  around  it,  and 
deadening  a  few  trees  near  a  spring;  and  this  title,  al- 
though it  had  no  legal  force,  wt;«j  yet  respected  by  the 
uettlers,  and  became  of  the  same  force  as  law,  as  it  was 
not  deemed  creditable  or  safe  to  interfere  with  a  claim 
thus  established.     These  claims  were  often  bought  and 
sold.     The  Pennsylvania  proprietary,  in  pursuance  of 
the  policy  of  Wm.  Penn,  in  1768,  went  through  tho 
form  of  purchasing  the  Indian  title  to  the  same  territo- 
ry, instead  of  taking  it,  as  did  the  Virginians,  by  right 
of  conquest;  and  fixed  the  price  of  warrants  under  his 
authority  much  higher,  the  authorities  say  from  ^'2o  to 
830  per  hundred  acres,  or  fourteen  fold.     Ho  opened  a 
landotHce  at  about  this  time,  but  the  difference  in  price, 
determined  the  majority  of  the  settlers  to  purchase  from 
Virginia.     Settlements  made   or  warrants  located  pre- 
vious to  this  dato  under  authority   of  either   province 
were  recognised  by  both  as  good  and  valid.     June  1774, 
a  vexatious  contest  commenced  between  Pennsylvania 
and  Virginia  in  relation  to  theso  matters.     Lord  Dun- 
more,  was  then  Governor  of  the  latter  state,  and  as  tho 
revolution  was  in  its  incipient  state  and  the   govern- 
or a  strong  tory  in  principle  and  subsequent  practice;  it 
lias  been  surmised,  his  object  was  to  embroil  the  stated 


CiVir.    HISTORY. 


231 


in  fHfRcnltios  between  themselves,  and  thus  withdraw 
their  attention  from  the  engrossing  questioug  of  the  rev- 
olution. It  was  at  this  time,  that  the  Pennsylvanians 
offoroil  to  make  tlio  jVFonongahela  tho  boundary  line; 
but  (iovernor  Dunmore,  evidently  did  not  wish  the  dis- 
pute settled.  He  appointed  to  the  command  of  Fort 
Pitt,  Col.  Wni?Conolly,  a  rash,  headstrong,  tinscrupu-**^^^ 
lous  man,  who  harassed  tho  people  by  his  exactions  to  tho 
point  of  exasperation;  and  even  arrested  and  imprisoned 
magistrates  acting  under  authority  of  Pennsylvania  in 
tho  discharge  of  their  duty.  So  threatening  an  appear- 
ance bad  the  affair  at  this  period  that  it  promised  to  end 
in  a  civil  war,  and  attracting  tho  attention  of  patriotic 
citizens  of  both  states,  on  the  25th.  of  July,  1775,  tho 
delegates  in  congress,  including  among  others,  Thoma« 
Jefferson,  Patrick  Henry,  and  Benjamin  Franklin,  uni- 
ted in  a  circular,  urging  the  people  in  the  disputed  re- 
gion to  mutual  forbearance.  Says  tho  circular:  "W« 
recommend  it  to  yon  that  all  bodies  of  armed  men, 
kept  up  by  either  party,  be  dismissed;  and  that  all  thoso 
on  either  side,  or  in  confinement,  or  on  bail,  for  taking 
part  in  the  contest,  be  discharged."  To  such  a  pitch 
did  the  mutual  acrimony  of  feeling  reach,  and  so  disa- 
greeable was  the  continued  disputation  that  about  thui 
time,  it  was  seriously  contemplated  by  many  of  the  set- 
tlers, to  move  in  a  body  farther  west;  and  a  scbemo 
with  this  end  in  view  was  actually  entered  into  by  » 
Mr.  Jackson,  which  however  failed. 

When  the  revolution  actually  broke  out,  the  att«n- 
tion  of  the  people  was  turned  in  that  direction.  Dun- 
more  developed  his  character  in  espousing  openly,  tb« 
cause  of  tho  crown  against  the  people;  and  in  attempt^ 
iDg  to  incite  the  cegroes  in  one  section,  and  the  8avag#» 


I 


I  ,  li- 


ft 

i 

I.;  I 


(?,;;,' 


1*^ 


{•M^- 


|.| 


232 


CIVIL     UISTOUY. 


in  another,  aj^'aiust  the  whites.  At  this  jimctnro  it  be- 
came necessary  to  forgot  their  bickering  anJ  unite  for 
mutual  defence  against  their  common  enemies — the  Brit- 
ish, Tories  an<l  Indians. 

Mutual  danger   and   a  common   cause   united  them, 
when  appeals  to  their  reason  and  patriotism  were  una- 
vailing.    Virginia,  still  claimed  and  exercised  juiisdic- 
tion  throughout  the  revolution,  and  sent   out  Captai  n 
John  Neville  with  a  small  military  force,  to  occupy  and 
hold  Fort  Pitt.     He  appears  to  have  been   a  prudent 
and  conciliatory  man;  at  any  rate,  the  difficiiLtifig.aj^i)ear 
to  have  been  greatly  modified  under  his  administration. 
It  seems  to  have  become  gradually  understood  on  both 
sides  that  it  was  wiser  for  them  to  defer  until   a  more 
auspicious  period  the  settlement  of  the  boundary  line; 
and  to  unite  with  all  their  zeal  and  energies  in  the  com- 
Davidliittenhouse  on  the  part  of  Pennsylvania;  and  Dr. 
mon  cause.     It  is  an  acknowledged   fact  that  the  cause 
of  the  revolution  had  no  stronger  friends,  than  among 
the  settlers    of  western  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia. — 
They  were  whigs  by  birth  and  education,   and   though 

their  Irish  blood  made  them  contentious  in  time  of  peace 
they  were  united  as  one  man  against    their  hereditary 

oppressor  in  time  of  war.  Says  the  eloquent  historian, 
"We  shall  tind  the  first  voice  publicly  raised  in  Ameri- 
ca to  dissolve  all  connection  with  Great  Britain,  came, 
not  from  the  Puritatis  cf  New  England  or  the  Dutch  of 
New  York,  or  the  Planters  of  Virginia  but  from  the 
Scotch  Irish  Presbyterians,"  such  as  peopled  the  val- 
lies  of  the  Ohio  and  its  tributaries,  at  this  day.  Un  dor 
the  kinder  feelings  produced  by  united  resistance  to 
a»reat  Britain,  movements  were  made  toward  the  close 
Qf  the  war  to  effect  an  amicable  settlement.     For    thi^ 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


2a:j 


Daviilllittenhoiise  on  the  part  of  Pounsylvania,  and  Dr. 
James  Madison,  late  Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church  in  Virginia,  and  Robert  Andrews,  on  the 
part  of  Virginia,  were  appointed,  in  1770,  commission- 
ers to  agree  upon  a  boundary.   They  met  at  Baltimore, 
on  the  31st  of  August,  1779;  and  in  1780,  entered  up- 
on their  business,  by  continuing,  according  to  agree- 
ment, concurred  in  by  the  Legislatures  of  both  States, 
"Mason  and  Dixon's  line,"  five  degrees  of  longitude, 
west  from  the   Delaware  river,  thence  to  the  northern 
boundary  of  Pennsylvania,  to  constitute  the  boundaries 
of  that  State.     But  pending  operations,  the   surveyors 
were  compelled  to  suspend,   owing  to  the  hostility  of 
the  Sliawnees  and  other  Indian  tribes,  who>  consider- 
ing themselves  overreached  by  the  whites,  in  a  treaty 
of  that  year,  threatened  to  kill    any  surveyors,  whom 
they  might  find  in  the  territory,  and  consequently,  con- 
tinued their  northern  survey  only  to  its  point  of  inter- 
section with  the  Ohio,  at  the  extreme  end  of  what  is  now 
Hancock  county,  Vu.     Their  report  was  received,  and 
ratified  by  tlie  Legislature  of  Virginia,  on  the  8th  of  Oc- 
tober, 17S.'),  and  from  that  day,  dates  the  legal  exist- 
ence of  the  "Panhandle."     Previous  to  this,  Ohio  coun- 
ty had  been  formed  from  Yo-ho-gunia,   by  the  line  of 
Cross  Creek,  and  says  the  record,  on  the  settlement  of 
the  boundary  question,  in  1789,  that  portion  of  Yo-ho- 
gania,  lying  north  of  this  creek,  was  added  to  Ohio,  be- 
ing too  small  for  a  separate  county,  an'1  +hc  county  of 
Yo-ho-gania  became,   thereupon,   extinc'.      Hancock, 
then,  and  so  much  of  Brooke  us  lies  north   of  Cross 
Creek,  was  the  last  of  the  ancient  Yo-ho-gania.     Tra- 
dition, in  accounting  for  the  strip  of  land,   driven  in 
wedge-like,  between  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania,  constitu- 


rli,' 


234 


CIVIL   ni STORY. 


I 


ting  what  is  called  the  Panhandle,  states  that  it  was* 
owing  to  an  error  in  reckoning,  that  the  live  dogrecp 
of  west  longitude,  reached  so  far  to  the  west,  anil  that 
much  dissatisfaction  was  excited,  when  the  result  was 
definitely  ascertained.  Great  importance  wasuudouht- 
cdly  attached  to  th^  command  of  the  Ohio  river,  by 
the  authorities  of  cither  State,  but  it  is  doubtful  wheth- 
er the  \irginians  felt  themselves,  at  that  juncture,  very 
far  overreached .  It  will  be  borne  in  mind,  that  at  that 
day,  the  Northwestern  Territory,  compririing  the  great 
State  of  Ohio,  was  an  integral  part  of  the  Old  Domin- 
ion, so  that  even  under  the  arrangement  agreed  to  by 
the  commissioners,  the  Ohio,  for  a  very  great  distance, 
flowed  through  lier  territory,  and  it  was  not  until  the 
cession  of  that  Territory,  in  1789,  some  years  after,  that 
she  realized  the  hard  bargain,  thus  unwittingly  made. 
When  the  State  of  Ohio  was  established  in  1802,the  Pan- 
handle first  showed  its  beautiful  proportions  on  the  map 
of  the  United  States.  A  long  and  bitter  dispute  was 
at  any  /ate,  happily  settled  by  mutual  concession,  to  be 
only  casually  disturbed  during  the  railroad  era  of  1854 
by  a  slight  movement  toward  annexation  to  Pennsyl- 
vania in  consequence  of  alledged  legislative  neglect  and 
grievances.  It  gave,  what  perhaps  few  of  the  people 
interested,  expected,  not  only  Pittsburg  and  its  euvi- 
ronsandall  Allegheny  and  Westmoreland  counties; 
but  all  Washington,  Fayette  and  Green,  to  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  Virginians,  ir  the  event,  undoubtedly  had 
the  hardest  of  the  bargain,  though  at  the  time,  they 
did  not  forsee  the  result,  or  anticipate  so  much  liberal- 
ity in  their  future  legislation. 

After  the  boundary  question  became    satisfactorilf 
settled,  the  small  strip  of  land  rnnning  up  between  the 


Cn*IL  TIISTORY. 


235 


Pennsylvania  lino  and  the  Ohio,  settled  up  more  rap- 
idly than  any  other  portion  of  Northwestern  Virginia. 
Havinghad  the  pnblic  eye  directed  to  it  by  the  many 
<iispntes,  it  attracted  the  more  attention,  and  figuron 
extensively,  at  an  early  day,  in  Legislative  annal«.-— 
From  its  peculiar  'lape  on  the  map,  it  received  the 
name,  in  iiOgiwlative  debate,  of  the  Panhandle,  given 
it  by  John  ^I'Millen,  delegate  from  Brooke,  to  match 
the  Accomac  projection,  ■which  hn  dubbed  the  Spoon- 
liandlo.  The  Virginians,  M-cro  a  little  sore  when  thov 
made  the  discovery  that  they  were  over  reached  by  the 
Pennsylvanians  in  the  bargain;  but  were  consoled  by 
George  ]Mason  with  the  rcliection  that  the  narrow  strip 
left  them,  would  serve  the  purpo-o  of  a  sentinel  and 
protect  the  body  of  the  State  from  any  invasion  of  its 
territory  or  institutions.  However  it  may  bo  as  regards 
the  interests  ol  the  State,  the  connection  of  the  Panhan- 
dle country  in  its  detached  condition  has  not  been  of 
any  material  advantage  to  the  '"section  itself,  but  has 
rendered  it  liable  to  all  the  odium  among  citizens  of  the 
free  States  that  attaches  to  slavery;  and  at  the  same 
time,  has  rendered  it  impracticable  for  its  inliabitants 
to  avail  themselves  ot"  any  of  the  advantages  of  that  in- 
stitution. Not  only  that,  but  being  so  isolated,  it  has 
little  in  common  with  the  balance  of  the  State;  and  iti 
inhabitants  cannot  reasonably  expect  to  receive  a  pTO- 
portionato  share  of  advantage  from  the  pyaleni  oi 
public  improvements  for  which  the  State  has  made  such 
lavish  expenditures.  Nevertheless,  unless  it  has  been 
of  very  late  years,  the  people  of  the  Panhandle  have  not 
been  behind  any  of  their  fellow  citizens  in  regard  and 
attachment  to  the  institutions  and  luws  of  the  old  Do- 
minion; nor  have  they  ever  shown  any  deficiency  in 


236 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


!•-     .■>: 


the  article  of  State  pride,  that  so  pre-eminently  distin- 
guishes <  ho  Virginian,  wherever  and  however  he  may 
he  located. 

On  the  first  development  of  the  Panhandle,  it  con- 
stituted a  portion  of  the  extensive  county  of  Ohio, 
which  dates  back  to  before  the  revolution,  and  reached 
territorially  to  an  indefinite  extent.  On  the  v/aters  of 
Short  Creek,  celebrated  from  the  earliest  period  for  the 
exceeding  richness  of  the  soil,  was  located  the  seat  of 
justice  for  this  immense)  territory.  It  was  called  West 
Liberty,  and  here  on  the  l6th  January  177G,  wac  held 
the  first  Court  for  Ohio  county,  and  perhaps  the  first 
civil  Court  ever  held  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi. 
A  court  house  and  jail  were  ordered  in  the  following 
sp7  ing,  and  among  the  attornics  practising,  are  the 
names  of  Philip  Pendleton  and  George  Brent  in  177S. 
The  town  was  incorporated  November  29thj  1786.  At 
the  organization  of  the  present  county  of  Brooke  in 
1797,  at  which  period  the  seat  of  justice  for  Ohio  coun- 
t\  J  was  removed  to  Wheeling,  and  at  about  which  lime 
the  county  records  uere  burned,  West  Liberty, 
was  quite  a  metropolis,  and  was  the  scene  of  many 
a  hard  fought  battle  with  forensic  as  well  as  physical 
weapons.  The  court-housu,  oi  the  relics  of  it  may  yet 
be  seen,  being  a  log  building,  nearly  opposite  the  tav- 
ern stand  known  as  "Bill  Irvin's."  In  its  precincts, 
Doddridge,  Sprigg,  Fitzhugh,  M'Kennan,  and  many 
another,  whose  name  has  since  become  classic,  thunder- 
ed their  eloquence,  and  plead  for  justice  and  their  cli- 
ents. The  venerable  spot  is  also  associated  in  the  minds 
of  the  older  men  of  this  day,  with  many  a  rough  joke, 
and  row,  and  drinking  bout.  It  v/as  a  great  place  for 
horse-racing,  and  the  present  generation  of  its  citizens. 


!  ■!! 


CIVIL  instORf . 


237 


f  i.|  M' 


<j&me  honestly  by  their  critical  iove  for  this  noblest  of 
animals.  Nor  were  militia  musters  the  mere  scofif  of 
boys  and  ridicule  of  men;  but  something  substantial. 
The  fuss  and  feathers  of  military  parade  sat  much  more 
appropriately  upon  men  who  had  drawn  sword  in  the 
revolution,  and  tracked  the  wild  Indian,  with  rifle  cock- 
ed, ready  to  tree  and  fire,  at  the  rustling  of  a  luaf,  than 
upon  the  holiday  soldiers  of  to-day.  The  pioneers  were 
given  too,  we  are  sorry  to  say  it,  to  their  grog.  Not 
such  vile  compounds  of  strychnine,  tobacco,  and  alco- 
hol, as  their  descendants  too  mucli  affect;  but  pure  old 
rye,  honestly  distilled,  by  men  who  were  as  honest  as 
their  grain,  and  too  unsophisticated  to  be  guilty  of  ras- 
cally adulteration,  even  had  they  had  the  villainous  com- 
ponents. Still,  they  drank  too  much, — albeit,  their 
whiskey  was  good.  It  has  been  observed  that  although 
men  drank  freely  in  those  days,  and  were  frequently 
drunk;  yet,  when  they  became  sober,  no  evil  effects  fol- 
lowed the  potation, —  Lhe  toper  recovering  at  once,  his 
wits,  and  his  vigor  of  body  and  mind,  instead  of  being 
shattered  and  besotted  in  nerve  and  intellect,.  It  is  cer- 
tain that  the  pioneers  enjoyed,  many  of  them,  rugged 
nnd  uninterrupted  good  health,  to  the  end  of  very  long 
lives.  Wo  have  listened  to  the  recitals  of  the  deeds  of 
the  notables  of  that  day,  until  we  seemed  translated 
back  to  the  good  old  days,  whenjility  and  good  neigh- 
borhood, and  generous  deeds,  t(  iipered  the  rudeness  of 
our  fathers,  and  men  seem  actually  to  have  lived 
more  for  sociability,  and  for  one  another,  than  for  them- 
selves and  money.  In  the  sterling  qualities  of  a  man- 
ly character,  they  certainly  excelled  their  descendants. 
It  is  true,  that  they  had  their  vices  in  those  days;  but 
they  were  the  vices  peculiar  to  a  new  country,  and  to 


i  V  if 
1 


il 


lil^!, 


P:    Iflllf 


I: 


238 


CIVIL   HISTOilY. 


an  unorganized  state  of  society.  The  turbulence  and 
lawlessness  that  sometimes  prevailed  at  tlieir  gather- 
ings, is  not  surprising,  when  we  recollect  that  it  was 
no  nnusual  thing  for  two'  thousand  men  to  asscmblo 
about  the  court-house  at  West  Liberty  or  on  occasion  of 
a  general  muster;  and  in  such  a  mass  of  semi-wild  char- 
acters, gathered  from  the  woods  and  hills  and  hollows 
for  many  miles  around,  it  would  be  singular  if  no  out- 
laws could  bo  fonnd.  For  them,  howovor,  justice  was 
both  sharp  and  quick.  If  we  arc  to  believe  tradition, 
forty  lights  a  day.  was  no  nnusual  thing  on  such  occa- 
sions; the  performances  occasionally  varied  with  a  free 
fight,  in  which  tlie  crowd  participated  ad  Ubit'nn.  Their 
fighting,  however,  seems  to  have  been  more  an  inno- 
cent way  they  had  of  working"  off  tlieir  surjdus  pugnac- 
ity than  an  exhibition  of  the  ugly  element  of  malice 
that  generally  gives  point  to  such  exercises  in  our  day. 
The  point  of  honor  was  settled  by  a  passage  at  arms 
after  the  most  approved  stylo  of  backwoods  etiquette, 
and  when  once  decently  decided,t]ie  parties  shook  hands, 
took  a  rousing  drink  all  round,  and  from  that  time  for- 
ward were  considered  as  good  friends  as  though  nothing 
had  occurred  between  them. 

The  state  of  society  generally,  in  this  section  eighty 
years  ago,  was  very  similar  to  that  which  now  prevails 
upon  the  outskirts  of  our  newly  settled  states;  with 
perhaps  the  exception  of  containing  a  larger  infusion  of 
the  fighting  element  than  in  these  latter,  owing  to  tho 
almost  continual  conflicts  of  the  settlers,  first  with  tho 
French  and  Indians,  then  with  the  Indians,  and  finally 
with  the  British  during  the  war  of  the  revolution;  for 
it  must  bo  borne  |in  mind,  that  the  men  of  whom  wo 
treat,  wero  the  cotemporaries  of  Morgan,  Campbell  aad 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


231^ 


Lewis,  of  King's  Mountain,  and  Point  Pleasant;  and 
many  of  them,  held  corumissions  under  tho  sign  man- 
ual of  Washington  himself,  or  had  borno  arms  in  tha 
"brave  old  continentals.** 

The  old  settlers  of  this  section  were  largely  Marylan- 
ders,  Virginians,  and  North  Carolinians;  and  naturally 
introduced  into  their  new  settlements,  the  manners  and 
customs  of  the  hospitable  and  never  over  industrious 
sections  whence  they  came.  Many  of  them  first  saw 
the  country  during  the  French  war,  when  they  were  in 
duced  to  enlist  in  Col.  Fry's  regiment  at  AlexanJiria, 
by  the  promise  of  land  about  the  Forks  of  tho  Ohio; 
otlicrs  were  induced  to  emigrate  by  the  Ohio  Compa- 
uy;  and  others,  again,  came  voluntarily,  because  it  was 
a  goodly  land.  Those  who  came  under  the  provisions 
of  Diuwiddio's  offer  of  hind,  secured  their  warrants  and 
after  the  termination  of  the  Indian  wars,  proceeded  to 
locate  thorn.  Washington,  himsi;lf  located  largely  in 
Western  Virginia  from  bavin" his  attention  directed  to 
tl"^  country  durintr;  his  earliei  Ker\'ices,  prior  to  and  du- 
ringthis  French  wi\r.  South  of  Marshall  county  orthc 
base  of  the  Panhaudle,  tho  country  however,  was  'ow 
a'^cut  filling  up — population  tending  more  toward  the 
north.  The  different  settlements  ap[)oar  to  have  been 
made  by  people  from  neighboring  localities,  tlb^  ties  of 
friendship  and  kindred,  with  apprehensions  of  dan- 
ger, inclining  them  to  set  their  stakes  in  close  comnui- 
niiies.     A   squad   of  ^larylanders  would  settle  1  a 

company  of  Virginians  there,  while  in  another  section 
we  wovddhave  an  Irish  settlement,  and  in  still  another, 
a  detachment  of  Germans  or  Scotch;  and  to  this  day, 
these  localities  are  distinctly  marked  by  peculiarities  of 
names,  manners  and  modes  of  speech.    The  Short  Creek 


!  ft 
'••tit 

;  iT. 
;    i 


i  iii 


240 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


country  about  West  Libercy,  early  attracted  settle- 
ment by  its  fabulous  fertility,  and  was  appropriated  by 
horse-racing,  fox-liunting,  jolly  Marylanders  and  Vir- 
ginians— some  of  tliem,  m*cn  of  much  education  and  re- 
finement, and  early  given  to  hospitality,  good  living, 
fun  and  intermarriage.  Farther  north,  the  Scotch  and 
Irish  clement  began  to  predominate,  though  the  prevail- 
ing typo,  continued  Virginian.  Among  the  original 
settlers  of  Ohio  county,  may  be  named  Jas.  Caldwell, 
(leorge  McCulloch,  Bciij.  Biggs,  And,  Woods,  John 
Boggs,  Joseph  Tomliuson,  Ebenezer  Zane,  Moses 
(Jhapline,  John  Mc(^'olloch,  Solomon  ilodges,  John 
Williamson,  David  Shepherd,  Archibald  Woods,  Z. 
Sprigg,  Alexander  Mitchell,  <fec.,  whoso  names  appear 
prominently  on  the  record;  while  in  1787,  several  pat- 
ents wore  located  in  Brooke,  or  Yohogania,  by  Dorsoy 
Pentecost,  I\loses  Decker,  Peter  Cox,  Benjamin  Wells, 
John  Van  Metre,  Bon  J,  Johnson  Jr.,  who  waft  a  sur- 
veyor, and  located  7000  acres  in  1785,  Wm.  McMahon, 
who  appropriated  the  hillsjying  back  of  Wollsburg,  in 
1786,  Ilezekiah  TTyatt,  Lawrence  Van  Buskirk,  John 
Buck,  and  Gabriel  ( rreathouso,  besides  many  others, 
whose  names  do  not  figure  so  prominently.  These  ap- 
pear to  have  constituted  the  advance  guard  of  pioneers, 
for  after  their  arrival,  there  was  a  cessation  of  entrys, 
until  1795,  when  it  again  commenced  in  redoubled  num- 
bers. Among  this  Lttter  irruption  we  find  prominent- 
ly the  names  of  Thos.  Cook,  Nathaniel  Fleming,  Jas. 
Darrah,  Wm.  McClane,  Benjamin  Rood,  and  others. 
An  esteemed  correspondent  in  this  connection,  furnish- 
es the  following  reminiscences: 

"Among  the  pioneer  citizens    who  mauo   their  first 
western  location  in  the  border  village,  w    have   heard 


M: 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


241 


the  names  of  Col.  McKennon,  father  of  the  late  Hon. 
T.  M.  T.  McKennon,  of  Washington  count\ ,  Pa.,  who 
(lied  at  Reading,  Pa.,  July  9th,  1852,  universally  res- 
pected and  regretted.  Jiulg'e  Alexander  Caldwell, 
subsequently  of  Wheeling,  Va.,  Col.  Oliver  Brown,  a 
distinguished  officer  of  the  Revolution,  and  a  member 
of  the  Boston  Tea-party.  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  Doddridge 
and  his  brother  Philip  Doddridge,  Esq.,  Alex.  Wells, 
the  father  and  patron  of  Methodism  in  Wellsburg,  and 
his  son  Bazalccl,  then  a  young  lawyer  from  Maryland, 
Charles  Hammond,  Esq.,  late  of  Cincinnati;  Colonel 
Thorpe,  Nicholas  P.  Tillinghast,  Zaccheus  Biggs,  and 
many  others  equally  respectable  and  influential.  In 
the  vicinity  of  the  place,  lived  Capt.  McMahon,  who 
lost  his  life  while  serving  in  the  army  of  Gen.  Wayne, 
the  Cox's,  the  Swearingcn's,  the  Brady's  and  others, 
whose  names  arc  intimately  associated  with  Border  his- 
tory. 

"In  the  neighborhood  lived,  lang  syne,  some  fami- 
lies whose  hospitalities  were  so  courteously  and  liberally 
dispensed,  as  to  tempt  the  elite  of  the  town  to  maice 
frequent  excursionary  visits  among  them;  for  there,  in 
in  addition  to  the  attraction  of  social  intercourse,  they 
enjoyed  pure  air,  green  fields,  and  substantial  faro;  no 
triHing  considerations  to  persons  confined  to  the  tread- 
mill recreations  of  a  small  village.  Upon  one  occasion 
it  was  the  good  fortune  of  our  humble  self  to  make  one 
of  such  a  party,  the  tableau  of  which  is  now  vividly 
jtresent  to  our  memory.  It  was  to  the  manor  of  Geo. 
Hammond,  a  Virginia  Magistrate,  and  father  of  the 
late  Chas.  Hammond,  Esq.,  of  Cincinnati.  Mr.  Ham- 
mond was  a  Marylander,  and  a  true  gentleman  of  the 
old  school  type.     His  intelligent  and  expressive  eye. 


p'r 


!!'■'■     til 


i  '.' 

1 

i 

;'p 

V  ^ 

■i 

:     t, 

f 

m 


242 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


Bilvery  locks,  tall,  erect  figure,  cane  in  hand — inspired 
the  beholder  with  feelings  of  reverence  and  veneration, 
while  listening  to  his  judicious  and  instructive  conver- 
sation, lie  seemed  to  be  perfect  master  of  his  estab- 
lisliment,  which,  in  addition  to  a  largo  family  of  sons 
and  daughters,  iurludcd  quite  a  number  of  well  fed, 
glossy-faced  Africans." 

Under  the  operation  of  the  very  liberal  Virginia  huvs 
regulating  claims  to  unappropriated  lands,  the  good 
land  of  the  country  was  rapidly  taken  up,  and  generally 
in  largo  bodies,  by  tlio  parties  named  above,  and  their 
cotemporaries- — a  largo  proportion  of  it  on  speculation, 
to  bo  sold  at  an  advance  or  hold  until  forfeited  for  non- 
payment of  taxes;  but  much  of  it  for  actual  settlement. 
It  is  singular  and  siguilicant  of  the  characteristics  of 
our  institutions,  to  observe  how  small  a  proportion  of 
the  laud  now  remains  in  the  hands  of  the  descendants 
of  the  original  ])ioprietors.  A  l.u-go  proportion  of  it 
changed  hands,  during  the  first  twenty  years;  and  al- 
thougli  the  names  sound  familiar  euongli,  it  will  be 
found  on  examination  that  but  few  of  the  present  actu- 
al landholders  of  the  Panhandle,  are  represented  in  the 
family  names  above  recorded.  In  the  mutations  of  cir- 
cumstances, many  who  were  then  at  the  top  of  the  wheel, 
have  revolved  downward;  and  while  others,  who  were 
of  more  humble  pretensions  vhon,  now  occupy  situations 
tiiat  enable  them  to  look  down  upon  others  again,  who 
at  the  next  revolution  may  occupy  their  places.     So  it 


goes. 

rin 


The  easy  character  of  the  warrants,  carelessness  in  lo- 
cations, and  the  liability  to  be  sold  for  taxes  and  pur- 
chased by  speculators,  caused  a  great  deal  of  litigation 
in  early  times;  and  the  land  suits  of  that  day  were  a  per- 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


243 


feet  harvest  to  the  attornies,  many  of  wliom  prospered 
and  grew  fat  by  nurturing  and  encouraging  a  litigious 
spirit  among  the  settlers.  There  was  no  lack  of  the  tra- 
ding spirit  among  the  settlers,  as  is  evidenced  by  the 
frequent  alienations,  which  seems  to  have  amounted  to 
a  mania  almost,  about  the  year  1800,  nor  was  tliere 
any  deficiency  of  manufacturing  enterprise.  Previous 
to  1800,  the  manufacture  of  iron  from  the  ore  had  been 
carried  on  successfully  at  the  old  furnace  on  Kings  creek; 
and  in  1801,  James  Campbell  conveyed  the  furnace 
with  300  acres  of  contiguous  land,  to  Looter  Tarr  and 
James  llankin,  for  the  consideration  of  'S3, 600  for  the 
premises.  The  furnace  was  operated  lor  many  years  af- 
terwards, but  has  been  now  for  a  long  time  abandoned 
and  in  ruins. 

After  the  year  1800,  we  enter  upon  the  modern  era. — 
The  Indians,  by  this  date,  hful  been  eifoctnally  expel- 
led, towns  and  villages  had  sprung  up  at  different  eligi- 
ble points;  and  population  diffusing  itself  thvoughou  i 
the  country,  it  rapidly  lost  its  backwoods  characteris- 
tics. Population  increased  with  amazing  rapidity  west 
of  the  Ohio,  and  it  was  no  unusual  thing  to  see  long 
trains  of  emigrant  wagons,  waiting  tlieir  turn  to  bo 
ferried  over,  at  Wellsburg,  Wheeling,  and  other  cross- 
ing-places. Ohio  became  the  Mecca  of  emigration,  and 
the  flood  poured  into  her  borders,  enriching  and  fructi- 
fying the  territory  through  which  it  rolled.  Hencefor- 
ward, the  history  of  the  country  is  that  of  a  peaceful  and 
thriving  community,  intent  only  upon  the  accumulation 
of  wealth,  the  securing  of  worldly  ease,  and  the  frui- 
tion of  the  perils  and  hardships,  encountered  by  our 
fathers.  Though  abounding  in  incident,  it  is  not  of 
that  stirring  character  that  will  interest  the  reader. — 


!       i**- 


■■    t 


m 


244 


CIVIL  HISTORY. 


The  old  pioneers  became  rapidly  merged  in  the  gener- 
al mass  of  the  population,  and  soon  lost  much  of  their 
distinctiveness  of  character.  As  illustrative  of  the  phys- 
ical capacity  of  the  men  of  that  day,  we  give  the  follow- 
ing well  authenticated  incident,  showing  that  they  were 
big  of  body  as  well  as  of  mind;  and  able  to  cope  with 
the  bears  and  Indians,  as  well  as  abundantly  willing: 
In  the  year  1807,  John  Cox,  then  Sheriif  of  Brooke 
County,  empannelled  a  jury  of  twenty-four  citizens, 
whoso  gross  weiglit  is  recorded  at  7230  pounds,  or  an 
uverage  of  oOO  pounds  each.  It  is  probable  that  these 
were  men  of  extraordinary  size  even  for  their  day,  or 
the  cmpannelling  of  such  a  jury  would  not  have  been 
made  the  point  of  a  newspaper  paragraph,  as  it  was;  but 
there  are  few  tliinly  settled  countries,  where  half  that 
number  of  as  weighty  characters  can  be  found  now,  by 
the  exercise  of  the  greatest  industry.  Some  of  their  names 
are  given  as  follows;  Mr.  McG-ruder,  Jas.  Crawford,, 
.losoph  Applegate,  Francis  M'Guire,  Cornelius  /"^. 
Gist,  Jas.  Connoll,  Anion  Wells,  Caleb  Wells,  Adam 
Wilson;  James  Hobinson,  Samuel  Wilson.  Lemon 
Fouls,  Hczekiah  Hyatt,  and  Absalom  Wells,  Sr.  and 
Jr — three  of  them  Aveighing  near  400  lbs.  each,  and  no 
man  less  than  240.  The  same  account  goes  on  to  say, 
that  at  the  same  time  could  be  counted  on  the  waters  of 
Short  Crook  twenty  live  or  thirty  ladies  of  correspond- 
ing dimensions,  averaging  from  240  to  300  lbs.  avoir- 
dupois. Such  weie  some  of  the  characteristics — social 
and  physical  of  our  pioneers;  in  subsequent  chapters  we 
will  treat  of  their  moral  and  intellectual  history  and  of 
the  material  developments  of  the  country.  In  neither 
respect  is  there  much  lO  regret  or  aught  to  feel  ashamed 
of. 


\'.) 


CIIATTER  V. 


il.: 
|:; 
St' 


RELIGIOUS  CHARACTERISTICS. 


Early  RelipionH  Incllujvtions  —  Intolerance— Presl)ytorianistn  —  S^ptiiriart 
Schools — Canonsbiu'!,'  College — Wiisirnii,'tuu  (lollcj^o,  Pii. — Wivsliinutou  (Jol  • 
lege,  Va. — Sccoders— Uodstouo  PivsbyKMy — Camp  Mpfting.s — viptliodists — 
Persocution — Itineracy — Lort>ii/o  l)o\v — Ilev  Jiiiiics  Fiuloy — Joliu  M'l'ow  • 
ell— 8t(jno  Meeting;  House  on  Short  Crook— liev..!.  Monrop — Castloiniiiri 
Kuu  Caiiii>  (irouutl — IJaptist  Dciioiuiimtiou— Jonathan  West- Aloxandur 
Campbell — Episcopal  Church— Kev.  Joseph  Doddridge — Disputation. 

There  was  early  manifested  a  decided  partiality  for 
the  forms  and  ordinances  of  Christianity  among  the  ear- 
ly settlers  of  the  conntry  of  which  we  treat;  in  soino 
portions  of  it,  verging  npon  intolerance.  The  imigrants 
bronght  with  them  the  pecnliar  religious  tenets  and  incli- 
nation of  the  neighborhoods  whence  they  came.  That 
portion  of  the  population  which  had  its  origin  in  Vir- 
ginia and  Maryland,  was  stiongly  tinctured  with  higli 
church  Episcopacy  and  Catholicism;  the  disciples  of  Wm . 
Penn  were  represented  in  the  emigration  from  his  prov- 
ince; while  the  strong  Scotch  Irish  populatiun,  which 
so  much  proponderated  in  Western  Pennsylvania,  rep- 
resented Presbyterianism,  in  every  shape  and  form,  as 
well  as  every  phase  almost  of  secession  and  reforma- 
tion. Presbyterianism,  positive  or  negative,  in  some 
shape  or  other,  seems  to  have  been  the  prevailing  relig- 


m 


!>4C 


CIVIL    IIISTORY. 


ion  of  Western  Pennsylvania.     Its  missionaries  were 
fecattercJ  all  over  the  country,  and  wore  zealous  in  their 
labors:  every  opportunity  was  used  by  its  colporteurs 
and  ministers,  to  distribute  bibles  and  tracts;  they  would 
visit  emigrant  boats  de-3ccndinj^  the  river,  to   see  that 
liioir  spiritual  wants  were  duly  attended  to,  and  through 
ii»o  agency  of  missionary   societies',    take  advantage  of 
f'very  opportunity  to  diffiiso  the  gospel.     The  Jiov,  Mr. 
Patterson,  alone,  during  fourteen   years'    residence  in 
Pittsburgh,  at  tliis  early  day,  in  tliis  way,   distributed 
i')6(j'i  copies  of  bibles  and  testaments.     They  founded 
schools  and  colleges,  and  filled  them  with  scholars,  and 
supplied  them  with  zealous  and  competent  teachers. — 
In  1700,  they  resolved  to  establi''  two  seminaries,  in 
which  the  purpose  of  "educating  young  men  forthegos- 
])ol  ministry,"  was  a  prominent  object;  one  to  be  estab- 
lished in  Rockbridge  County,  Va  ,  under  charge  of  Kev. 
Wm.  Graham,  as  President,  the  other  in  Washington 
County,  Pa.,  under  care  of  Rev.  John  M'Miilan.     This 
was  the  origin  of  Washington  College,  Lexington,  Va., 
and  of  Canonsburg  College,  in   Washington  Couiity; 
Pa.     Books  of  a  doctrinal  nature  were  enjoined  to  be 
j)ut  into  the  hands  of  the  students,  at  once,  on  their  en- 
trance, indigent  pious  young  men  were  provided  for, 
and  the  two  schools  were  placed  under  the  supervision 
of  a  Board  of  Examiners,  chosen  from  the  Presbyterie« 
respectively.      A   few  years   afterwards,    W^ashington 
College,  in  Washington  county,  Pa.,  was  instituted  on 
similar  principles. 

The  Presbyterian  organization  is  essentially  mission- 
ary. The  printed  records  of  the  church,  establish  the 
fact  that  near  one  hundred  years  ago,  she  sent  out  mis- 
sionaries into  the  howling  wilderness  west  of  the  Alle- 


flVIL    IIISTOnY. 


247 


ghenies  to  proich  to  the  scattered  emigrants,  hunters, 
traders' and  indians  who  might  fall  in  their  way.  As 
early  as  1700,  wo  read  of  their  lahors  and  travels  in 
this  capacity.  Very  many  of  the  scttlcrft  of  Waslnnp- 
ton  and  Allegheny  counties,  were  secedcrs  from  the  reg- 
ular organization,  and  of  the  strait*^sL  sect  of  that  per- 
suasion. They  were  very  dogmatical  in  their  opinions 
and  somewhat  disposed  to  bigotry;  much  given  to  long 
sermons,  very  peculiar  psalmody  nnd  cold  meat  on 
Sunday.  Many  of  this  denomination,  may  still  1x5 
found  in  western  I  Pennsylvania.  The  Presbyterian  syn- 
od of  New  York  and  Philadelphia  established  in  the 
year  1781,  at  the  request  of  the  Revs,  Joseph  Smith, 
John  M'Millan,  James  Power  and  Thaddeus  Dodd; 
wdiat  w'as  called  the  lledstono  Presbytery,  whicli  em- 
braced the  country  lying  between  and  upon  tlie  brandi- 
es of  the  Monongahela  and  the  Ohio;  and  took  its  name 
from  Iledstone  Old  Fort,  which  appears  to  have  been 
a  sort  of  head  quarters,  and  gave  the  name  of  Pedstone 
settlement  to  a  wide  extent  of  country.  This  Presby- 
tery, was  served  by  men  of  eminent  piety  and  ability, 
among  wliom  may  be  named — Revs.  Joseph  Smitli, 
John  M'Millan,  James  Power,  Anderson,  Dodds,  Ed- 
gar and  others — men  who  made  their  mark  upon  tha 
early  history  of  the  country  and  the  leaven  of  whose 
christian  virtues,  still  works  among  the  sturdy  yeoman- 
ry of  West  Pennsylvania.  The  united  congregations 
of  Buffalo  and  Cross  Creek  united  in  a  "call,"  it  is  said 
the  first  'apon  record  west  of  the  mountains,  to  the  gen- 
tleman first  named,  in  June  1779,  promising  the  con- 
nideration  per  year,  of  £150  continental  currency  of  1774 
for  his  services;  and  recapitulating  the  great  loss  "youth 
custain  by  growing  up  without  the  stated  means   of 


1.1 


y 


%i 


ii' 


ili! 


i!>i 


248 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


grace;  the  formality  likely  to  spread  over  the  aged,  and 
the  great  danger  of  ungodliness  pcrvailing  among  both, 
there  being  divers  tlenouiiniitions  of  people  among  us, 
who  hold  dangerciis  principles  tending  to  mislead  many 
weak  and  ignorant  people;  we  cannot  but  renew  our 
earnest  entreaties  that  you  will  accept  this,  our  hearty 
call."  Houses  of  worship  were  extremely  rare  in  those 
days,  and  it  is  said  that  none  existed  prior  to  1790. — 
Even  in  the  winter,  meetings  were  held  in  the  ojicn  air. 
A  place  was  selected,  as  well  sheltered  from  the  weath- 
er us  possible  and  a  log  pulpit  erected;  and  in  this  prim- 
itive style  the  worship  of  (lod  was  conducted  with  as 
much  decorum  and  pcrha[)s  with  more  acceptability, 
than  in  the  gorgeous  edifices  and  gilt  edged  pulpits  of 
their  descendants.  Tliis  was  iho  origin  of  the  camp- 
meetings,  which  were  not,  as  is  generally  supposed,  by 
any  means  confined  to  ]\[ethodists.  They  had  their  or- 
igin in  the  necessities  of  the  country  before  Methodism 
existed;  and  were  very  generally  adopted,  not  from 
choice,  but  for  want  of  better  accommodations. 

Next  in  numbers  and  influence  a.^ter  Presbyterianism 
comes  Methodism,  tliough  it  does  not  by  any  means  ap- 
pear as  efficient  or  at  least  as  prominent,  until  of  much 
Irtt(U'  date.  Tiidccd,  in  the  oirly  days  of  Methodism  its 
professors  and  preacliers  appear  to  have  been  in  very  bad 
repute,  and  were  considered  ratljor  as  grievous  nuisan- 
ces to  society,  tliau  as  a  reputable,  christian  denomina- 
tion. Their  more  liberal  and  popularized  doctrines  and 
mode  of  church  go  i'cinniont  came  in  direct  conflict  with 
the  straight-laced  Galvanism,  so  prevalent  at  that  day; 
and  as  they  commended  themselves  with  more  accepta- 
bility to  the  reckless,  thoughtless  and  more  ignorant 
masses  of  the  community,  Methodism  became  an  object 


UIV 


^ty 


ism 


nd 
ith 

Hta- 
iut 


Gois.;  TO  CHjnni  tn  Old  Times.— [Pag*?  24«.] 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


•249 


of  jealonKV,  contempt  and  hatred.  Methodism,  under 
the  preaching  of  Whitefield  and  Wesley  in  England  had 
its  rise  and  popularity  chiefly  among  the  humbler  class- 
es in  that  kingdom;  its  history  was  associated  with 
many  extravagancies,  and  with  much  that  excited  rid- 
icule and  reprehension;  an  1  the  vulgar  prejudice,  exci- 
ted against  its  preachers  and  professors,  by  the  adhe- 
rants  of  the  English  church,  followed  its  ministrations 
across  the  Atlantic,  and  even  into  th.  wilds  of  the  back 
woods.  Nevertheless,  there  was  at  the  bottom  of  its 
extravagancies,  a  solid  stratum  of  truth,  sincerity  and 
pure  piety  that  disarmed  opposition;  and  the  martyr-like 
devotion  of  its  early  preachers,  recommended  it  to  the 
masses,  so  that  gradually  it  worked  itself  into  notice, 
and  became  one  of  the  leading  denominations  of  the  land. 
It  appears  emphatically,  to  have  been  the  democratic 
church,  in  contradistinction  to  tin;  more  aristocratic  and 
excliT^ive  cotemporary  sects.  Commending  itself  to  the 
Kympathies  of  tiie  masses  and  appealing  rather  to  their 
feelings  than  to  their  intellects,  it  was  the  creed  to  pre- 
vail in  a  naturallv  consciencious,  but  uncultivated  com- 
r.iunity,  and  the  beatific  visions  of  supernal  ecstacy  in- 
to which  its  wrapt  votaries  were  often  inducted  by 
overwrought  imagination,  or  as  they  claimed,  by  the  di- 
rect visitation  of  the  Almiglity,  were  of  so  impressive  a 
character  tliev  could  not  only  not  be  for>jfottcu,but  made 
them  proof  against  all  opprobrium  and  against  all  per- 
secution. Itineracy  was  a  peculiarity  of  the  sect.  The 
preachers  emulated  the  example  of  the  apostles  in  the 
tjimplicity  and  scantiness  of  their  oulfit.  They  _  took 
no  thought  of  to-morrow,  but  depending  upon  the  gos- 
pel staff  and  script,  they  relied  upon  what  the  day 
might  bring  forth,  for  their  sustenance  and  support. — - 


;'■■ 


I 


W 


Mi 
1!-  1 


il 


250 


CITIL    BISTORT. 


They  dived  into  the  bosom  of  the  forests  and  tracked 
its  almost  pathless  wilds;  with  a  kind  of  spiritual  knight 
errantry,  they  crossed  unknown  rivers,  and  plunged 
into  dismal  swamps — they  came  unawares  upon  the 
settler  in  his  secluded  cabin,  and  preaching  with  a  zeal 
that  would  brook  no  denial,  they  used  for  his  conver- 
sion sometimes  carnal  as  well  as  spiritual  weapons. — 
Where  two  or  three  could  be  gathered,  they  ma«le  th« 
woods  resound  with  prayer  and  praise  and  exhortation. 
Tliero  was  a  heroism,  a  self  devotion,  a  deliance  of  per- 
il, an  endur^ince  of  hardship,  and  an  obvious  poverty, 
that  vouched  for  their  sincerity,  and  commended  them 
to  the  respect  and  hospitality  of  their  hosts.  In  this 
way,  they  sowed  broadcast  over  the  land,  the  seeds  of 
Methodism,  wliicli  were  destined  soon  to  grow  up  into 
a  bountiful  harvest.  Among  the  first  nnd  most  nota- 
ble of  these  early  itinerants  was  Lorenzo  Dow,  who 
gained  a  world-wide  reputation  for  his  eccentricities; 
and  who  first  passed  through  tliis  country  about  the 
year  180(5,  preaching  at  tlio  ditferent  points  on  his 
route.  lie  was  not  regularly  in  connection  with  the 
Methodist  organization,  but  his  doctrines  liad  more  sim- 
ilarity to  theirs,  than  to  those  of  any  other  denomina- 
tion; and  naturally  ho  came  to  be  regarded  as  a  kind  of 
apostle  of  Methodism.  His  travels  commenced  about 
the  year  1792,  and  speaking  of  the  sect  in  question,  at 
tiiat  day,  he  says:  "about  this  time  there  was  much 
talk  about  the  people  called  Methodists,  who  were  late- 
ly come  into  the  western  part  of  New  England.  There 
were  various  reports  and  opinions  concerning  them, 
some  saying  they  Avere  the  demons  that  were  to  come 
in  the  last  days;  that  such  a  delusive  spirit  attended 
them  that  it  was  dangerous  to  have  them  spoak,  lest  they 


tJIVlL   HISTORY. 


t51 


«hoiild  load  people  ont  of  the  good  old  way  they  had 
been  brought  up  in,  that  they  would  deceive  if  possible, 
the  very  elect,'*     In  his  passage  through  this  country 
in  1805,  he  speaks  of  preaching  at  Charlestown,  and 
lays  that  many  were  displeased  with  his  preaching. — 
lieturning  again  in  1813,  he  met  witli  a  kinder  ^recep- 
tion, at  most  of  the  points  where  he  preached,  though 
«t  West  Middletown,  Pa.,  he  says  that  an  effort  waf 
made  to  mob  him,  which  failed.     He  was  probably  th« 
first  of  the  street  preachers,  and  as  often  preached  in  th« 
market  place  «s  in  the  church.     He  was  possessed  of 
much  ready  wit,  which  he  could  readily  turn  to  advan- 
tage and  very  frequently  to  |the  ludicrous  discomfitar« 
of  his  antagonists  and  disturbers.     Dow,  was  not  th« 
only  Methodist  preacher  who  was  maltreated,  nor  wai 
the  prejudice  against  Methodists  confined  to  particular 
localities.     In  Crawford  county.    Pai.,    in  1806,    John 
McDowell,  whose  father's  family  was  the  first   Metho- 
dist family  in  the  county,  preacliod  the  first  sermon  of 
the  novel  creed,  and  had  almost  to  fly  for  his  life  from 
the  vengeance  of  his  congregation;  as  late  as  1826,  the 
Rev.  Boar,  who  headoil  tlio  first  organization  in  Beaver 
county,  was  spit  upon  hy  the  boys  and  otherwise  insul- 
ted, daring  his  sermon. 

liev.  James  Fiuloy  who  flourished  about  the  time  of 
the  last  war,  was  an  eminent  preacher  of  this  denomi- 
nation, concerning  whom,  (juitoa  number  of  anecdote* 
are  afloat  j\mong  his  jmcient  friends.  He  appears  to 
have  been  a  kind  of  Boanerges — zealous,  of  powerful 
frame  and  utterly  fearless,  he  would  shake  the  souls  of 
sinners  over  the  fires  of  hell  until  they  "squealed  like 
young  raccoons."  He  was  aKentuckian,  but  spent  the 
greater  part  of  his  youth  near  Chilicothe,  Ohio,  and  hif 


'•if'' 

ill 


W. 


252 


CIVIL    HISTORY* 


fatlier  being  a  teacher  of  the  classics,  he  acquired  from 
him  a  .superior  education.  Ho  reproved  ain  without 
fear,  favor  or  affection,  and  was  not  particularly  careful 
of  the  phraseology  he  used.  His  rough  practice  brot' 
him  frequently  into  disagreeable  contact  with  the  hard 
cases  of  his  day.  Baid  he,  on  being  advised  that  a 
certain  man  in  Steubeuville,  whom  he  had  offended, 
had  threatened  to  maltreat  him.  "I  am  willing  to  ho 
led  to  the  stake  for  the  cause  of  Christ,  but  brethren, 
God  never  made  the  man  wlio  will  ever  cowhide  James 
Finley."  It  is  needless  to  say  he  was  not  cowhided, 
although  he  thundered  his  denunciations  afterwards, 
with  rci.loubIed  vim. 

Nevertlieless,  and  in  spite  of  opprobrium  and  hostil- 
ity, the  cliurch  grew  apace,  ar  d  at  an  early  day  took 
rank  with  tlie  Presbyterian  in  popularity;  and  iu  many 
sections  actually  outstripped  it  in  numbers.  At  this 
day  it  consiilerably  exceeds  any  other  denomination,  in 
this  section  in  the  number  of  its  members,  and  is  be- 
hind none  in  popular  ostimation.  One  of  the  first  or- 
ganizations was  established  in  the  neighborhood  of 
.  West  Liberty,  on  Short  Creek  bottom,  about  the  year 
1805,  and  perhaps  the  oldest  jNIethodist  Church  in  the 
country  is  the  old  stone  meeting  house  on  Short  Creek 
bottom,  erected  by  them  about  the  year  1810.  Kev. 
Joshua  Monroe,  speaks  of  preaching  in  it  in  the  year 
1811,  when  it  was  in  an  unlinished  condition,  and  states 
that  the  stone  work  was  executed  by  Mr.  Ralph  Doug- 
lass, an  Englishman  and  a  Methodist  of  the  old  Wes- 
leyan  stamp,  a  sensible  and  deeply  pious  man  who  died 
a  few  years  afterward  in  Washington,  Pa.  It  is  a  ven- 
erable and  timo  worn  edifice,  suggestive  of  old  times; 
and  surrouudcd  with  the  grave  stones  of  many  of  tha 


CIVIL  nisTonv. 


1>5^ 


fatriarchs  and  pioneers  of  this  section.  Not  far  from 
it  is  the  old  Castleman's  Run  (\amp  Ground,  also  loca- 
ted about  the  same  time  (in  1814.)  by  the  same  Joshua 
Monroe,  above  mentioned,  with  otiiers,  /■ly.Tnen  and 
preachers,  and  arranged  for  a  camp  t^Tound.  Prior  to 
1811,  Camp  Meeting  had  boon  held  iutlie  vicinity  of  the 
stone  meeting  honse,  but  an  intermission  occurring  at 
this  time,  the  new  site  was  selected  on  the  land  of  the 
Jones  family,  and  annual  meetings  have  been  held  on 
the  spot  with  great  regularity,  froni  that  d;iy  to  this. 

Among  the  early  Methodist  preachers  may  be  named 
Hoge,  Page,  West,  dohn  Waterman,  .1.  Monroe,  Ja- 
cob Young  and  others,  many  of  whom  will  be  remem- 
bered by  some  of  our  readers  as  men  of  great  ability, 
piety  and  zeal  in  the  cause  of  ^Methodistic  Christianity. 
Those  of  them  living  now  can  look  back  upon  the  early 
"days  of  their  church  and  compare  it  with  its  present 
growth  and  strength  with  tbankrulness  to  ( lod,  and  hon- 
est pride  at  the  commanding  position  it  lias  attained  to 
from  such  small  beginnings. 

The  Baptist  Church  comes  next  in  numerical  impor- 
tance in  this  section.     It  too,   in  infancy,    had    to    en-' 
counter  prejudices  and  sectarian  hostility;  but   though 
divided  into  sects,  it  outgrew  them  all  and   attained  a 
proportionate  importance. 

About  the  year  1801,  Jonathan  West  of  the  county 
of  Jeffer&on,  N.  W.  Territory,  deeded  to  the  Regular 
Baptist  Church  of  Kings  Creek,  Yr.,  for  the  sum  of  one 
and-a  half  dollars,  snflicicnt  land  on  which  to  erect  a 
church.  The  church  was  afterwards  erected,  and 
for  many  years  occupied,  being  among  the  very  first  ed- 
ifices for  such  purposes  in  the  western  country.  The 
Eegular  Baptists  were  afterwards  divided  into  various 


^'  i 

il 


:; ! 


li 


254 


CIVIL   HIBTOBT. 


■§ecta,  who  discussed  their  various  points  of  difTerence** 
with  much  zeal  and  ability.  One  of  these  sects  or  di- 
visions,  is  that  known  as  the  Disciples  or  Campbellite* 
of  which  Alexander  Campbell  of  Bethany  College,  may 
be  considered  the  founder  and  exponent.  A  man  of 
great  industry,  ability  and  zeal,  he  was  in  early  life  in- 
dued with  Calvanistic  notions,  but  also  with  a  free  think- 
ing and  independent  mind,  and  withal  given  to  dispu- 
tation. He  early  evinced  a  disposition  to  travel  from 
the  beaten  paths,  and  originate  a  system  peculiar  to 
himself,  which  should  embody  his  ideas  of  right  chris- 
tian doctrine  and  church  government.  His  peculiar  sect 
however,  did  not  coma  much  into  vogue  until  a  later 
day,  and  does  not  particularly  come  at  this  time  within 
ourfview. 

The  foljowing  sketch  of  the  life  of  Dr.  Joseph  Dod- 
dridge, whose  "Notes  on  Virginia,*'  hav^  given  his 
name  a  wide  celebrity,  will  bo  found,  also,  an  interest- 
ing sketch  of  tHe  progress  ei  the  E.piscopal  church,  in 
this  region. 

Prominent  among  the  early  citizens  of  Wellsburg^ 
were  the  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  Doddridge  and  his  brother, 
Philip  Doddridge,  Esq.,  both  of  whom  attained  to  em- 
inence in  their  professions.  From  early  life,  they  were 
eager  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge,  cheerfully  expending 
their  little  patrimony  in  procuring,  from  abroad,  that 
Assistance  which  the  paucity  of  instructors  and  books, 
at  that  early  period,  denied  them  at  home. 

Their  father,  John  Doddridge,  originally  from  Mary- 
land, and  a  lineal  descendant  from  the  Rev.  John  Dod- 
dridge, of  Shepperdton,  England,  emigrated  at  an  early 
period  of  the  settlement  of  the  country,  to  the  Western 
part  of  Washington  Coanty,  Pennsylvania,  locating  in 


CIVIL   HIBTOKT. 


255 


tlie  neigbborliood  of  tbe  Virginia  line.  Being  a  man  of 
piety  and  intelligence,  although  not  enjoying  robust 
health,  he  found  many  opportunities  of  rendering  him- 
«elf  useful  to  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  When 
a  resident  of  his  native  State,  he  was  a  member  of  the 
English  Church,  but  after  his  removal  to  the  West,  ha 
attached  himself  to  the  Wesleyan  Methodists,  for  whose 
accommodation  he  erected,  on  his  own  farm,  a  house  of 
worship,  which  still  retains  the  cognomen  of  "Dod- 
dridge's Chapel." 

Joseph,  his  oldest  son,  wag  born  in  October,  1768. 
At  an  early  age,  in  Philadelphia,  he  took  orders  in  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and  during  many  years, 
labored,  almost  single-handed,  in  Western  Virginia  and 
Ohio,  to  collect  and  keep  within  the  fold  of  that  branch 
of  the  Church  of  Christ,  its  scattered  members, not  doubt- 
ing that  his  brethren  in  the  Atlantic  States  would  ear- 
ly feel  the  importance  of  surmounting  the  great  Alle- 
gheny barrier,  and  by  their  timely  visits  and  affection- 
ate christian  ministrations,  second  and  complete  his  ef- 
forts for  the  early  and  permanent  establishment  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  western  regions.  But  in  this 
fondly  cherished  hope  he  was  doomed  to  disappoint- 
ment. Year  after  year  passed,  and  still  his  oft  repeat- 
ed entreaties  for  help  were  only  answered  by  plausible 
pretexts  for  delaying  to  a  more  opportune  period  th« 
anxiously  coveted  assistance. 

From  the  Hon.  Judge  Scott's  reminiscence  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Doddridge,  we  learn  that  in  1793,  he  held  reg- 
ular Episcopal  services  in  West  Liberty,  Virginia, 
then  the  seat  of  justice  for  Ohio  County,  and  the  resi- 
.  dence  of  many  respectable  and  influential  families,  |most 
of  whom  removed  to  Wheeling,  when  the  courts  were 


i|  ;/ 


ill 


ft 


25G 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


trnnsfoncd  to  that  place.  According  to  the  same  au- 
thority, St.  John's  parish,  in  Brooke  County,  seven 
milc8  from  Wellsburg,  was  formed  by  lilm  in  the  same 
year,  and  a  small  church  oiectod.  Of  this  parish,  he 
continued  the  pastor  until  witliiii  a  short  period  of 
his  decease,  when  failing  health  compelled  him  to  relin- 
quish it. 

In  the  year  1800,  Dr.  Do  Idridge  formed  a  congrega- 
tion in  this  ]>lace,  then  culled  Charlestown,  also  one  in 
.iefferson  County,  Ohio,  now  known  as  St.  James* 
church,  on  Cross  Creek,  in  that  County.  As  early  a3 
1794  and  '97  he  held  frequent  religious  services  at  Stou- 
benvillc,  Wheeling  and  Orave  Creek. 

In  later  years,  his  ministrations  as  a  pioneer  mission- 
ary wore  extended  into  the  interior  of  the  State  of  Ohio, 
and  it  was  owing  in  a  great  measure  to  his  zealous  and 
persevpiing  dforts  that  the  pndiminary  steps  were  ini- 
tiated wiiich  resulted  in  the  erection  of  the  state  into  an 
Ep  .copal  diocese  antl  the  election  of  its  first  prelate, 
tL<'.  energetic,  self  denying  and  devoted  Bishop  Chase. 

Some  years  after  entering  the  ministry,  the  subject 
of  this  notice,  in  order  to  meet  the  wants  of  an  increas- 
ing family  found  it  necessary  to  combine  with  his  cleri- 
cal profession  one  that  would  be  more  lucrative  in  the 
region  in  which  he  lived.  He  chose  that  of  medicine, 
completing  his  course  of  preparation  in  the  Medical  In- 
Btitute,  of  Philadelphia,  under  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush. — 
In  the  latter  profession  he  stood  deservedly  high,  and  to 
its  avails  he  was  mainly  indebted  for  means  to  rear  and 
educate  a  large  family  of  children.  But  his  practice 
being  in  a  new  and  sparsely  settled  country,  was  labor- 
ious in  the  extreme,  and  laid  the  foundation  for  a  dis- 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


2d1 


case  wliich,  in  tbo  latter  years  of  hi j  life,  was  painfully 
manifcstcil. 

In  his  tlisposition  ho  was  social  ani  choorlnl,  fond  of 
the  society  of  friends,  to  whom  ho  was  aluays  affailo 
and  accessible,  aiming  in  his  conversations  with  tliem  to 
combine  instruction  with  entertainment.  Wis  heart  was 
replete  with  sympathy  and  compassion  for  the  poor  and 
the  afllicted,  to  whose  relief  he  ever  imparted  largely  of 
his  limited  means.  For  some  years  previous  to  his 
decease  ho  was  severely  afflicted  with  nn  usthinatic 
complaint  which  finally  terminated  his  life  in  the  5!^th. 
year  of  his  age,  in  Nov.  182G.  Ilis  remains  with  those 
of  his  parents,  bis  wife  and  severa.1  of  his  chihlrcn,  ro- 
pose  iu  a  monumental  mound,  in  the  old  grave  yanl  ad- 
joining Brooke  Academy,  in  this  place. 

In  conclndingthis  cha2)ter  on  the  religions  peculiari- 
ties of  the  people  of  this  section,  we  may  safely  say  that 
no  section  of  the  Union  can  present  a  fairer  record 
as  relates  to  morality,  and  the  elements  of  true  i-o- 
ligion;  and  few  can  be  found  where  the  leading  tenets 
of  Christianity  have  been  more  thoroughly,  zealously, 
and  ably  discussed.  It  has  been  the  scene  of  zealous 
disputation  almost  from  the  time  of  its  settlement,  and 
if  the  disputants  have  now  grounded  arms,  it  is  not  from 
want  of  zeal,  confidence  or  ability  to  dispute,  but  from 
the  effects  of  abroader  and  wider  spirit  of  christian  tol- 
erance, even  to  the  verge  of  indifference.  With  a  firm 
reliance  upon  the  self-sustaining  principle  in  Christi- 
anity, we  may  hope  that  this  kinder  feeling  may  ever 
prevail  until  it  merges  in  the  consumation  of  the  mil- 
loniol  liope,  which  all  true  christians  are  frei  to  agr^2 
upon  and  indulge. 


CHAPTER    VI. 


•   SCHOOLS   AND  COLLEGES. 


Literary  Tendency  of  the  People— Quality  Folks— Field  Schools ~Acadeni let 
aud  Hiifh  Schools — Alexander  Civinpliell— Beiliany  College— West  Llbe;*ty 
Academy — Wallsburg  Female  Seminary— CoTnmou  Schools— Newbpap^w. 


A  PEOPLE  SO  eminently  religious  in  their  tendencies 
fts  were  our  forefathers,  could  not  be  indifferent  to  the 
education  of  their  children;  accordingly,  we  find  great 
attention  bestowed  upon  the  education  of  youth.  Con- 
sidering the  paucity  of  population,  the  inferior  quality 
of  the  teachers,  and  the  harassing  nature  of  the  times, 
it  is  as  singular  as  it  is  creditable,  that  education  such 
as  it  was,  was  so  general.  The  fact  that  it  received  so 
much  consideration  is  in  a  great  degree  attributable  to 
the  character  of  the  settlers  themselves.  At  a  very  ear- 
ly period  a  class  of  settlers  came  in,  who  possessed  a  de- 
gree of  refinement  and  intelligence,  equal  at  least  to  any 
to  be  found  in  the  sections  whence  they  emigrated. 
Many  of  them  contrived  to  gather  around  them  the  usu- 
al appendages  of  higher  social  life.  Though  their  hou- 
ses at  first,  were  humble,  often  only  a  single  log  cabin, 
yet  many  of  them  owned  slaves,  possessed  negro  quar- 
ters as  comfortable  as  their  own,  kept  fine  horses,  and 


CIVIL     HiSTORT. 


25» 


dispensing  hospitality  with  a  liberal  profusion,  ossay- 
ed  to  he  thoui^ht,  what  thoy  wore  called  by  the  less  as- 
piring, "quality  folks."  These  quality  folks  were  gen- 
erally well  (Hluoated,  and  were  both  ''laulatod  and  envi- 
ed, by  their  less  favoreil,  but  equally  ambitious  neigh- 
bors. Their  own  sons  and  duughtfTS,  they  sent  off  to 
the  East,  to  receive  the  polish  of  the  college  and  sem- 
inary; while  the  others  were  encouraged  to  patronize 
the  field  school.  The  hold  school  was  an  institution  in 
its  way.  As  described  by  writers  of  the  day,  and  a« 
aome  relics,  now  exi-fting,  prove,  thoy  were  of  th« 
class  of  schools  which  benefit  through  much  tribula- 
tion. A  log  house,  of  moderate  si/e,  was  squatted 
down  at  the  intersection  of  a  couple  of  covv-path.s,  or 
near  some  spring  in  the  woods,  the  walls  chinked  with 
mud,  and  sticks,  and  stones;  the  roof  and  iloor  of  clap- 
boards, and  doors,  windows  and  chimni  s,  of  the  most 
primitive  style.  To  this  temple  of  learning,  resorted 
the  urchins  for  miles  around, — trudging  through  tho 
woods  in  families;  boys  and  girls  together,  with  their 
dog-eared  school-beoks,  that  had  serv  ed  the  purposes 
of  more  than  one  generation.  The  teacher,  some  coun- 
tryman of  Ichabod  Crane,  or  more  probably,  a  gentle  • 
man  from  the  bogs  of  "swate  Ireland,"  who,  by  his  blar- 
ney, induced  his  simple-minded  patrons  to  believe  him 
a  paragon  of  **larnin,"  as  well  as  a  pattern  of  proprie- 
ty, presided  over  this  motley  crew.  Tho  scholars  sat 
bolt  upright,  on  backless  bencl^es,  while  the  mof/ister  ar- 
tis,  presiding  with  infinite  majesty,  kept  them  in  terror 
of  his  rod  and  rule.  What  he  taught  them  was  the  ap- 
plication of  the  birch;  what  they  learned  was  what  they 
could  not  help.  In  process  of  time,  the  scholar  became 
inducted  into  the  mysteries  of  the  elements*  graduated 


i 


IN  I 


260 


CIVIL   III8T0UY. 


wlmn  lio  conquerod  tlio  single  rule  of  threo,  and  took 
his  lir>t  ilogreo  when  ho  uajuircd  "round  hand  writing." 
.Jolly  tinit's,  tlioy  wore,  at  th«  old  /ield  schools — check- 
ered like  our  lives  with  much  of  pleasure,  much  of  pain. 


'1^1 


ph 


)f  hovhoixl,  wh 


released  lik( 


ease 
young  colts  Irom  durance  vile,  tlio  warlike  preparations 
of  barring  out,  and  the.  chivalrous  ])unctilio  of  tire  as- 
sa.ilt,  surrender  and  treaty,  the  juvenile  gallantry  of 
the  youngsters  toward  the  blushing  lasses — all  these 
recollections  of  old  lang  syne,  as  they  rush  back  upon 
the  inoinory,  <lrown  out  the  dolol'ul  hours  of  enforced 
quiet,  the  piiinful  eoniineniont,  the  bothering  (/f  brain 
over  intricate  [jroblenis,  the  visions  of  the  birch,  smart 
of  tlio  biich  itself,  and  the  manifold  exacerbations  of 
the  youthful  spirit.  Ueniinisecuiees  such  as  these,  and 
many  niore,  balance  each  other  on  memory's  chart,  as 
the  mind  recur.^  to  the  school  boy  days. 

The  teachers  themselves,  were  not  generally  very  ad- 
vanced in  learning,  nor  were  they  always  given  to  hab- 
its of  strict  sobriety;  were  poor  in  purse,  and  often  com- 
pelled to  eke  out  a  scanty  livelihood  by  other  avoca- 
tions; among  ivliich  were  those  of  travelling  cobbler  and 
tailor.  They  boarded  round  among  their  patrons,  and 
in  the  intervals  between  their  professional  engagements, 
tiiey  mended  the  shoes  and  made  the  breeches  for  the 
families  with  whom  they  boarded. 

These  Held  schools,  as  they  were  called,  existed  un- 
til a  late  day,  and  indeed  are  not  yet  extinct;  but  as  the 
population  increased,  the  standard  of  education  was 
advanced  and  academies  and  colleges  were  planted  at 
various  points,  wherever  numbers  jnstilied. 

Toward  the  close  of  the  last  century,  a  movement  was 
•:  ado  by  the  members  of  the  Redstone  Presbytery,  to 


CIVIL    IIISTOItY. 


itu 


estftblish  Bchools  on  a  firm  foundation,  liaviiic^in  vit'\r 
the  advftncoment  of  the  oliurch.  Jn  1702;  ftu  acndcniy 
was  established  at  (yanonsl)uri^,  in  Wasliington  c<». 
Pa.,  and  anotlier  in  Loxiiiufton,  Kockbridge  coniity, 
Va  ,  believed  to  be  tlie  first  high  sehools  west  of  tlic 
AUegfteny  mountains.  TIioso  academies  or  semina- 
ries a?»  theywere  caUed,  were  ke^t  up  lor  a  time  by  cdu- 
tributions  from  the  people,  but  in  a  sliort  time,  they  re- 
ceived sullieient  patronage  to  bo  self-sujiporting.  The 
Seminary  at  (yauonsburg,  was  converted  into  Ciiii- 
onsburg  College  in  1802,  since  which  time,  the  insti- 
tution has  grown  in  popular  estimation  and  become  one 
of  the  most  respeiitabie  instittitions  of  learning  in  the 
Union.  About  the  same  time  that  Canonsburg  Col- 
lege was  established,  a  competitor  sprung  up  in  Wash- 
ington, which  after  a  (.'hrysjiliy  existence  of  a  few  years, 
assumed  the  name  of  Washington  College,  and  in  tirno 
attained  to  great  prosperity.  Academics  and  high 
schools  multiplied  and  kept  pace  with  the  progress  of 
the  country.  At  every  considerable  town,  an  Academy 
was  established  and  sustained — sometimes  aided  by  pri-  • 
vate  munillcencc,  sometimes  assisted  by  the  kStutc, 
and  at  others  depending  solely  upon  their  merits  fur 
their  support.  An  acailemy  was  established  at  Wells- 
burg  at  an  early  day,  wliich  furnished  means  of  educa- 
tion to  many  now  in  active  life,  and  once  possessed 
considerable  celebrity.  Alexander  Campbell  also,  wa« 
early  distinguished  as  an  instructor  of  youth,  many  of 
thi3  middle  aged  citi:^ens  of  the  present  day  having  re- 
ceived their  education  under  him.  His  career  as  au 
instructor,  culminated  in  the  establisliment  of  Bethany 
Gollege  in  1840. 
Mr,  Campbel],  was  born  at  Shane's  Castle,  Ireland^, 


<fi 


I 


u 


262 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


in  1778,   and  having  received  a  finished  education  in 
his  native  country,  he  emigrated  to   America  in  1808. 
He  located  shortly  after  his  arrival,  in  Western  Penn- 
sylvania, in  the  capacity  r^  preacher   and  teacher;  and 
Koon  acquired  a  reputation  as  a  man  of  talent  and  am- 
bition.    He  was  a  delegate  to  the  convention  tj  reform 
the  Constitution  of  Virginia  in  1829-30,  but  never  par- 
ticularly distinguished    birisclf    in   politics;  liis   princi- 
pal forte  being  in  controversial  writing  and  debate. — 
The  Millenlial  Harbinger,  established  during  the  year 
1823,  of  which    he   has  continued   the  principal  editor 
ond  always  the  leading  spirit,  has  exerted  a  great  influ- 
ence on  the  religious  sentiment  of  Christendom;  and  he 
has  engaged  in  various  public  discussions  in  this  coun- 
try and  in  England,  wliich  have  given  him  a  reputation 
almost  cosmopolitan.     He    has  also   edited   ruid   pub- 
lished several  books  of  a  theological  chai'actcr.      Few 
men  living,   have,   indeed,  transacted  so  much  or  such 
divcrsiliotl  business  as  Mr.  Campbell;  or  labored  through 
life  with  such  unrctnitting  industry,     lie  has  accumu- 
lated considerable   property  and    his  liomostead  at  lie- 
thaiiy,  iirooke  Coimty,  Va.,  is  the  scene  of  profuse  hos- 
pitality to  visitors  from  all  sections  of  the  country  attrac- 
ted by  the  wide  spreaii   re[)Utation   of  the  man,  as   well 
as  by  tlic  calls  of  business,   religious,  literary  and  secu- 
lar.    In  personal  appearance,  he  is  tall,    venerable  and 
dignified;  and  tiio  mo>t  casual  observer,  would  not  fail 
to  vecognise  in  him,  the  marks  of  a  commanding  intel- 
lect. 

He  early  showed  a  disposition  to  differ  from  the  Cal- 
vanistic  preachers  among  wiioni  he  was  thrown,  and 
after  much  disputation,  controversy  and  even  abuse,  lie 
Jcft  them  and  essayed  to  establish  a  creed    and  practice 


CIVIL  msTonr. 


26g 


more  in  accordance  with  his  own  idons  of  scriptural 
propriety.  In  this,  he  has  to  a  great  extent  succeeded 
and  he  is  now,  at  least  by  the  public,  considered  th« 
head  of  the  branch  of  the  Baptist  donomination,  wliich 
has  taken  in  some  sections,  Lis  name.  For  himself,  in 
all  his  teachings  and  writings,  he  emphatically  dis- 
claims sectarianism;  but  popular  opinion,  seemti  to 
judge  him  differently  from  his  own  judgement  of  him- 
self. 

For  the  last  twenty  years  of  his  life,  the  engrossing 
object  of  his  attention,  has  been  to  establish  a  college 
near  his  homestead  at  Bethany,  where  his  ideas  of  chris- 
tian culture  may  be  appropriately  developed. 

The  first  dclinito  plan  of  the  organization  of  the  Col- 
lege is  laid  down  by  Mr,  Campbell  in  the  Millonial 
Harbinger  for  Octobf^r,  1889,  under  the  head  "Nt-w  In- 
stitution." The  project  hud  been  long  ripiMiing  in  iiin 
mind,  but  its  realization  had  been  deferred  waiting  (he 
Buccessful  establishuKMit  of  Bacon  (Jollege,  Ivontnckv. 
in  the  success  of  which,  Mr.  Campbell,  took  a  groat  in- 
terest. His  first  idea  wa^,  that  the  location  of  the  col- 
lege should  bo  "entirely  rural — in  the  country,  detach- 
ed from  all  external  society;  not  convenient  to  any  town 
or  place  of  rendezvous-— in  ilie  niiilst  of  forests,  fields 
and  gardens — salubrious  air,  })ure  water-  -dive^sififMl 
scenery  of  hills  and  vallifs,  limpid  brooks  and  mean- 
dering streams  of  rapid  tlowing  v/ator,  8uch  is  the 
spot  1  have  selected."  This  description  sounds  some- 
what Acadian,  but  it  correctly  delineates  the  landscape 
while  the  event  shows  that  Acad-^mic  seclusion  has  pro- 
ven a  failure — a  thriving  village  springing  up  around 
the  very  doors  of  his  college. 

Hi«  next  grand  idea  was,  that  tho  school    should  b« 


2G4 


CIVIL    mSTORT. 


free  from  any  sectarian  mfliiciice,  and  thus  severed  from 
tlie  dogmas  of  established  relii^ion.s,  induct  more  ration- 
al theology  into  the  minds  of  students  than  hed^einod 
to  then  prevail.  Says  he:  "Wj  wa.it  no  scholasac 
or  traditionary  tjjcology.  We  desire,  however,  a  much 
more  intiuiii  te,  critical,  and  thorougli  knowledge  of  the 
Bible,  the  whole  Bible  as  the  Book  of  God — the  Book 
of  Life  and  of  human  destiny,  than  is  usually,  or  in- 
deed can  be,  obtained  in  what  are  called  Theological 
Schools." 

His  model  school  wa8  to  be  built  up  on  an  original 
plan  combining  in  its  detail  the  requisites  both  of  church 
and  College  and  of  church,  preniinently.  To  quote  far- 
ther from  his  programme.  "This  church  institution 
shall,  in  one  cardinal  point  of  view,  resemble  the  West 
Point  military  stdiool.  There,  it  is  not  the  thf'Ory 
alone,  but  the  military  camp,  the  practice,  the  daily 
discipline  of  the  god  of  war.  In  this  institution  it  will 
not  be  the  theory  of  a  church — of  Bible  reading,  Bible- 
criticism,  ]>ible-lecture« — sermons — chuvoh  order — 
Oiiristian  discipline;  but  daily  practice  of  tho>e.  Tliis 
church  will  be  in  session  seven  days  in  every  week. — 
The  superintendantof  this  institution,  or  j:]ie  professor 
in  attendance,  will  be  bishop^;^o  tempore  of  the  church. 
The  young  men,  in  all  their  readings,  questions  and 
answers,  and  exercises,  shall  rise,  and  .^pcak,  and  act, 
as  though  they  were,  as  in  truth  they  are,  members  of 
a  particular  church  met  for  edification  and  worship." 

Ilis  programme  then  goes  into  detail  of  prospeotivo 
arrangements,  some  of  which  have  been  consummated 
and  others  proved  visionary.  The  College  was  incor- 
porated in  1840.  The  second  annual  meeting  of  the 
Trustees  was  held  at  Bethany,   on  Morduy   May  lOth, 


/■ 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


265 


1841,  at  which  time,  the  available  funds  of  the  Institu- 
tion were  stated  at  811,054,  obtained  by  subsciption  ,a 
considerable  portion  of  which  was  by  Mr.  Campbell 
himself,  who  was  acting  as  treasurer  and  agent.  Four 
Professors  had  been  nominated,  two  of  whom,  W.  K. 
Pendleton,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Va.,  and 
Robert  R.  Richardson,  M.  D.,  accepted  their  appoint- 
ments as  stated  at  this  meeting.  The  bill  of  fare  at 
the  Stewart's  Inn,  it  was  resolved,  should  be  the  same 
as  at  the  University,  and  the  cost  of  one  year's  attend- 
ance, was  unanimously  fixed  at  $150;  besides  an  en- 
trance fee  oi  $10,  for  each  student. 

At  this  time,  the  buildings  were  unfinished,  and  but 
a  little  over  $1000  of  the  subscriptions  actually  paid, 
although  the  Inn  and  the  College  were  being  built. — 
The  Treasurer  asked  $20,000  from  the  community  and 
in  consideration,  promised  not  only  an  abundance  of 
competent  instructors,  but  accommodations  for  five 
hundred  students.  To  raise  the  requisite  funds,  he  la- 
bored with  an  assiduity  the  most  indefatigable,  and 
travelled  into  the  most  remote  sections  of  the  Union, 
and  even  beyond.  For  the  first  few  years  of  its  exist- 
ence, the  College  struggled  against  manifold  difficul 
ties,  not  the  least  of  which  was  oppoi^ition  on  sectari- 
an grounds,  but  finally,  it  overcome  them  all,  and,  at 
this  day,  realizes,  in  some  degree,  the  anticipationi  of 
its  venerable  founder  and  President. 

Notwithstanding  his  religious  peculiarities,  the  rep- 
utation of  Mr.  Campbell  attracted  an  indiscriminate  pa- 
tronage, and  gradually  his  school  worked  itself,  not  on- 
ly into  notice,  but  into  the  possession  of  considerabl« 
patronage.  The  Chairs  of  several  Professors  are  now 
endowed,  in  sums  sufficient  to  afford  them  comfortabl« 


m 


2G6 


riTIL    HISTOr.T. 


salaries,  and  arc  gonerally  filled,  and  with  men  of  ihc 
first  order.  The  Old  College  building,  which  was  ac- 
cidentally bnrncd,  in  December,  1857,  was  replaced  the 
Rucceeding  season,  by  a  portion  of  the  present  magnifi- 
cent edifice,  dedicated  December  10th,  1858,  the  funds 
having  been  obtained  by  subscription,  a  mong  those 
friendly  to  the  Institution.  The  building  destroyed 
was  not  of  much  value;  but  the  valuable  libraries,  cab- 
inets, (fee,  belonging  to  the  College,  some  of  which  it 
will  be  impossible  to  replace,  wero  a  serious  loss. 

West  Liberty  Acadoniy,  established  under  the  aus- 
pices of  Prof.  A.  F.    lioss,  until  the  spring  of  185S,  a 
professor  in  Bethany  ('ollege;  and  under  an  old  act  of 
incorporation,  assisted  by  the  State,  commenced  its  first 
session,  August,  1858. 

The  Female  Seminary  at  Wellsburg,  was  establish- 
ed in  1852,  professedly  to  be  under  the  patronage  of 
the  Methodist  E.  Church,  but  although  agents  were 
put  in  the  field,  a  considerable  sum  raised,  and  one 
wing  of  the  edifice  erected  and  occupied,  it  has  not  ynt 
l)een  completed.  (^olh^ges,  Female  Seminavies,  and 
'I'heological  Institutions  abound  throughout  this  sec- 
tion. 

Nor,  in  the  anxiety  to  build  colleges  and  csfal)lish 
seminaries,  have  the  people  been  unmindful  of  humbler 
educational  wants.  The  State  of  Pennsylvania  early 
establii^hjcl  a  Free  School  system  on  a  magnifiicent  ba- 
sis, and  in  Washington  county,  their  common  schools 
have  ever  been  an  object  of  pride  as  well  as  of  attention 
Common  School  teaching  has  been  reduced  to  a  science 
and  systematized  almost  to  perfection.  A  magnificent 
edifice  for  the  purpose  of  a  Union  Free  School  was  erec- 
ted in  the  town  of  Washington,  in  the  years  1855-6,  at 


CIVIL   HISTORY. 


2(): 


a  cost  of  some  $20,000,  and  comfortable  school-liou^oi 
:irc  thickly  scattered  throughout  the  borders  of  the  coun- 
ty.    In  Virginia,  the  law  allovys  counties  that  see  fit  to 
do  so,  to  adopt  a  Free  School  system,  similar  in  its  pro- 
visions to  that  of  Pennsylvania.     The  county  of  Ohio 
adopted  it  about  the  year  1852,    by   election.     A  con- 
siderable amount  of  money  was  invested  in  school-hous- 
<.'«,  but  the  system  does  not  seem  to  operate  so  satisfac- 
torily as  could  oc  desired;  in  Brooke  county,  at  the  same 
election,  Free  Schools  were  voted  down  by  a  small  ma- 
jority; and  in  Hancock  and  Marshall,  subsequent  elec- 
tions have  resulted    slmilarlv.     Under  the  general  law 
o[  Virginia,  which    makes  cj^uite  liberal  provisi(>n  for 
Common  School  education,  though  clogged  with  pro- 
visions which  render  it  distasteful  to  the  classes    it  is 
intended  to  benefit,  the  facilities  for  .i-  quiring  a  com- 
mon school  education  are  good,  and  where  the  re   is  a 
disposition,  there  is  abundant  opportunity.     The  pro- 
portion of  persons  unable  to  read  and  write,  is  smaller 
in  the  Panhandle,  than  in  any  other  section  of  the  State, 
even  with  the  present  unpopular  and  radically  defect- 
ive system. 

Take  all  things  into  consideration,  and  no  section 
can  be  found  in  the  Union,  surpassing  this  in  the  mor- 
ality, intelligence,  law  abiding  spirit  and  general  vom- 
petence  of  its  inhabitants,  a  fact  not  more  honorabU'  in 
the  present  generation  than  creditable  to  their  progen- 
itors. 


CHAPTER    Vn. 


INTERNAL    IMPROVEMENTS. 


TuE  construction  of  a  wagon  road  from  Will's  Creek; 
to  the  Ohio  was  early  an  object  of  solicitude  on  the 
part  of  the  Government  and  people  of  the  country.  As 
far  back  as  1768,  Thos.  Walker,  Thos.  Rutherford,  Jas. 
Wood  and  Abram  Kite,  Gent,  or  any  two  of  them,  were 
authorized  and  empowered  by  the  Colonial  Assembly 
to  lay  out,  a  road  from  the  North  branch  of  the  Potomac 
to  Fort  Pitt  and  for  the  furtherance  of  the  object,  the 
sum  of  £200  was  appropriated. 

The  reason  assigned  for  this  enterprise  was  that  an 
advantageous  trade  might  thus  be  opened  with  the  In- 
dians on  the  western  borders  "of  this  dominion,"  and 
the  King's  garrison  be  the  better  supplied  with  pro- 
visions. They  were  instructed  to  follow  as  near  as 
might  be,  the  route  of  Gen.  Braddock  in  his  ill  fated 
expedition  of  1755,  and  the  result  of  their  explorations 
was  the  road  for  a  long  time  used  and  finally  adopted 
with  a  few  variations,  as  far  as  the  Monongahela,  as 
the  route  of  the  National  Road.  As  the  population  in- 
creased, it  demanded  an  improved  connection  with  the 
East.  Toward  the  close  of  the  last  century,  emigra- 
tion poured  over  the  mountains  in   almost  a  continu- 


CIVIL   History. 


209 


ons  fitrcam;  and  in  pursuance  of  the  policy  of  the  gov- 
ernment to  foster  the  settlement  of  the  great  west,  the 
scheme  of  a  great  National  Road  from  Philadelphia  to 
the  Ohio,  and  thence  traversing  the  Northwest  Territo- 
ry to  St.  Louis,  or  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri,  was  pro- 
jected, and  soon  became'the  subjectof  much  discussion 
both  in  and  out  of  Congress.     Waen  the  State  of  Ohio 
applied  for  admission  into  the  Union  in  1802,  she  was 
admitted  with  the  proviso,  that  one   twentieth  part  of 
the  public  lands   within  her  boundaries  should  be  set 
apart  that  the  proceeds  might  go  to  the  construction  of 
such  a  road  through  Ohio  and  ultimately  to  St.  Louis. 
On  the  29th  March  180G,  Congress  passed  a  law  pro- 
viding for  the  construction  of  the  road  from  Cumber- 
land to  the  Ohio,  and  Thomas  Moore  of  Maryland,  Jo- 
seph Kerr  and  Eli  Wilson   of   Ohio,  were  aiipointed 
Commissioners  to  decide  upon  a  route.     The  route  pro- 
posed by  them  with  only  one  deviation  at  Uniontown, 
was  approved  by  President  Jelferson  in  1808,  as  far  as 
Brownsville — the   route,  from  that  point  to  the  Ohio, 
being  left  undetermined.     The  point  at  which  the  road 
would  strike  the  Ohio,  was  considered  as  of  the  utmost 
local  importance,  and  every  eligible  point  on  the  Ohio, 
from  Pittsburgh  to  below  Wheeling,  was  warmly  en- 
gaged in  urging  its  claims.     It  was  anticipated  that  a 
city  would  at  once  spring  up  wherever  the  crossing  was 
definitely  fixed.     At  this  poriod,  dates  the  jealousy  that 
subsequently  existed  between  Wheeling  and  Pittsburgh; 
and  in  a  greater  or  less  degree  with  all  the  other  points 
on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  river.     It  became  a  delicate 
question  for  the  commissioners  to  decide,  and  remarking 
ihat,  "in  thi>»,  was  to  be  consulted  the  wishes  of  that 
populous  section  of  Ohio,  and  the   connections  with 


Iji 


Jii' 


I 


270 


CIVIL    HISTORT. 


roads  leading  to  St.  Lonis,  under  act  of  1806,"  they 
Joft  the  question  open.  Th(»  route  from  Brownsville,  to 
NVJieeling,  was  afterwards  located  by  another  commis- 
sion, the  engineer  for  whom,  was  a  Mr.  Weaver.  Op- 
erations on  the  road  were  eonimenced  forthwith  and  np 
to  1817,  it  liad  cost  $1,800,000,  and  had  moreover  in 
some  portions  become  worn  out  so  as  to  need  extensive 
repairs.  The  (juestiou  of  abandonment  came  np.  In 
1822,  President  Monroe  issued  his  celebrated  In'.ernal 
Improvement  message,  in  whicli  he  argues  with  consu- 
mate  abmty  the  general  improvement  policy  of  the  coun- 
try, and  enlarges  upon  the  propriety  of  the  government 
carrying  out  the  original  compact  with  the  State  of  Ohio, 
hy  continuing  the  road  west  of  the  river  Ohio.  Three 
Oommissionors,  had  heon  appointed  in  1817,  t(^; 
locate  the  western  division;  audit  is  at  this  date  that 
we  first  read  of  its  Ohio  terminus  being  definitely  fixed 
at  Wheeling.  Col.  Moses  Shepherd,  was  a  principal 
contractor  on  the  road  between  Wheeling  and  Cum- 
berland, Messrs.  John  McClure,  Dan'l.  Steenrod  and 
others,  had  contracts  more  contiguous  to  the  former 
place.  The  work  was  executed  promptly  and  wnth  ap- 
parent faithfulness;  but  subsequently,  much  litigation 
arose  on  account  of  alleged  failure  to  comply  with  the 
terms  of  contracts  in  executing  masonry,  (fee,  which  af- 
terwards found  its  way  into  (congress  in  the  shape  of 
Bills  for  the  relief  of  dilfercnt  parties.  A  large  amount 
of  money  was  expended  by  the  government,  and  largo 
fortunes  were  madi^  by  some  of  the  contractors  out  of 
the  proceeds.  The  road  gained  great  celebrity  at  \\w 
time  from  its  magnificence  of  design,  costly  character, 
the  romantic  country  traversed  and  the  immense  trade 
,'ind  travel  that  passed  constantly   over  it.     It   becani<? 


CIVIL    HIHTOUV. 


271 


the  grand  artery  of  emigration  as  well  as  of  transpor- 
tation between  the  East  and  the  West.  Forty  wagons 
in  a  train  all  magnificently  belled  and  otherwise  equip- 
ped, might  be  seen  at  one  time  traversing  this  national 
higliway,  loaded  with  merchandise  for  the  whole  coun- 
trv,  as  far  west  {is  St.  Louis. 

Notwithstanding,  however,  the  immense  travel  and 
trade,  the  tolls  were  insuflicicnt  to  keep  it  in  proper  re- 
pair, and  bidding  fail  to  become  a  burden  on  the  Federal 
Treasury, a  growing  disposition  was  manifested  to  aban- 
don or  rather  to  tran£'''n'  it  to  the  States  it  traversed. 
About  the  year  1825,  it  was  terribly  out  of  repair,  es- 
pecially that  portion  of  it  between  Brownsville  and 
Wheeling;  and  so  desperate  had  become  the  condition 
of  the  Western  division  that  a  change  of  location  was 
seriously  talked  of  from  the  Wheeling  route  to  the  route 
via  Wellsburg.  During  the  previous  long  and  acri- 
monious contest  fwr  the  crossing  place,  Wellsburg  had 
been  the  equal  and  formidable  rival  of  Wiieeling,  and 
now,  Avhen  it  was  re-opened,  she  renewed  her  rivalry 
with  a  desperate  zeal.  Topographical  advantages  were 
confessedly  in  her  favor  both  as  to  distance  arrd  nature 
of  the  ground  to  be  traversed  in  order  to  strike  the  Ohio; 
but  even  at  that  early  day  and  indeed  a  long  time  pre- 
viously, the  narrowness  of  the  river  had  suggested  the 
practicability  of  a  bridge  at  Wheeling  Island,  and  there 
were  influences  also  on  the  Ohio  side,  that  operated 
strongly  in  her  favor.  She  was  also  fortunate  in  her 
advocates  in  Congress.  Henry  Clay,  the  reputed  fath- 
er of  the  internal  improvement  policy  of  the  government 
threw  in  her  favor  the  weight  of  his  influence;  and  con- 
tributed greatly  to  her  success  by  his  zeal  and  his  sar- 
castic allusions  to  "Panther  Mountain,"  a  high  hill  two 


272 


CrVlL   mSTORT. 


miles  to  the  east  of  Wellsburg  which  he  came  out  of  hit 
way  to  explore  on  one  of  his  journeys  to  Washington 
(^ity,  purposely  to  see  for  himself  the  comparative  mer- 
its of  the  rival  routes.  He,  perhaps,  unwittingly,  mis- 
represented the  character  of  the  Wellsburg  route,  the 
entire  23  miles:  of  which,  it  has  been  estimated  since, 
would  have  co  .t  less  than  the  two  miles  nearest  Whee- 
ling, of  the  route  as  adopted.  But  superior  management 
triumphed  and  the  original  location  to  Wheeling  was 
confirmed.  When  afterwards,  Henry  Clay  became  a 
candidate  for  the  Presidency  in  opposition  to  (iJ en.  Jack- 
Ron  in  1832,  ho  was  remembered  by  the  adherents  of  the 
respective  routes.  Oiiio  county  went  for  him  with  the 
greatest  unanimity;  while  in  Brooke,  he  only  received 
one  vote,  that  of  Prov.  Mounts,  an  eccentric,  hair  brain- 
ed individual,  whoso  solitary  vote  was  for  a  long  time 
a  subject  of  amusement  among  his  neighbors  and  a.r,- 
quaintanccs.  The  fact  coming  to  the  ears  of  Mr.  Clay, 
elicited  from  him  a  humorous  and  good  natured  remark. 
Harry  of  the  West  was  defeated;  but  the  impress  of  this 
local  controversy  remained  not  only  upon  the  neighbor- 
ly relations  of  the  parties  but  upon  their  political  com- 
plexion. Wheeling,  became  thoroughly  and  persistent- 
ly Whig;  and  together  with  the  county  of  Ohio,  firmly 
devoted  to  the  interests  of  Mr.  Clay;  while  Wellsburg, 
and  all  the  viciuiiy  sympathising  with  her,  became  un- 
compromisingly anti-Clay  and  Democratic.  Subse- 
quent events  and  the  obliterating  effects  of  time  have 
softened  and  modified  this  local  antipathy  in  some  de- 
gree; but  to  this  day,  the  effects  may  still  be  distinctly 
seen,  both  in  local  jealousy  and  national  politics.  At 
the  time  of  this  last  desperate  effort  to  wrest  from  Whee- 
ling the  possession   of  the  terminus  of  the  National 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


27S 


Tload,  Phillip  Doddridge,  represented  this  District  in 
Congress.  This  was  in  1829-32.  IIo  was  a  resident  of 
Wellsbnrg,  where  his  talents  were  looked  upon  with 
the  highest  admiration,  and  where  the  highest  anticipa- 
tions were  entertained  of  his  acknowledged  abilities 
and  influence  being  exercised  in  favor  of  his  nativo.place. 
But  the  controversy  leems  to  have  so  degenerated  that 
no  reasonable  expectation  could  be  entertained  of  a 
change  of  the  location  of  the  road;  and  however  much 
Mr.  Doddridge  may  have  been  disposed  to  favor  his 
townsmen  and  immediate  constituents,  the  margin  for 
a  plausible  case  and  for  a.  successful  efTort,  was  so  ex- 
tremely small,  that  he,  perhaps,  never  seriously  enter- 
tained the  hope  of  success,  or,  perhaps,  the  design  of  at- 
tempting it.  Mr.  Doddridge  was  a  man  of  great  liber- 
ality of  views,  there  was  very  little  of  the  contracted 
politician  in  his  character,  he  took  wide  and  national 
views  of  all  subjects,  and  disdained  to  allow  local  con- 
siderations, however  plausible,  to  influence  his  actions 
as  a  legislator.  Such  was  his  general  character,  and 
this,  added  to  his  rare  colloquial  powers,  and  great  sim- 
plicity of  manners,  was  the  secret  of  his  wide  and  uni- 
versal popularity.  In  this  case,  he  doubtless  felt  con- 
strained to  flatter  his  townsmen  with  some  promise  of 
success,  but  it  is  doubtful  whether  he  ever  entered  ful- 
ly into  their  designs.  At  any  rate,  he  allowed  the  mat- 
ter to  go  by  default.  Gen.  Connell  came  on  to  Wash- 
ington City,  with  reccommendatory  documents,  signed 
by  the  citizens,  but  both  the  General  and  Mr.  Doddridge 
got  on  a  frolic  together;  and  it  is  said,  that  the  docu- 
ments w  're  never  presented.  The  affair  subjected  Mr. 
Doddridge  to  considerable  animadversion.  From  this, 
a  knowledge  of  his  character,  is  his  best  defence.     He 


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274 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


was  long  and  extensively  known,  and  admired  as  a  ju- 
rist and  statesman,  his  discriminating  and  comprehen- 
sive juHgemeut  in  futlioming  ahstrnse  and  intricate  ca- 
ses, as  well  as  his  powerful  and  logical  arguments  in  elu- 
cidating them,  having  gained  him  unbounded  popular- 
ity as  an  advocate.  To  his  other  advantages,  were  add- 
ed colloquial  powers  of  the  highest  order,  which,  being 
combined  with  extreme  simplicity  of  manner;  rendered 
him,  at  all  times,  a  most  fascinating  and  interesting 
companion.  Yla  was  bom  near  Philadelphia,  in  May, 
1773;  came  to  the  West  about  the  year  17H5,  with  his 
father's-  family;  and,  at  an  early  age,  applied  himself 
assiduously  to  the  study  of  the  law.  lie,  and  his  bro- 
ther Joseph,  were  in  a  great  degree  self  ^ taught,  and 
rose  to  distinction  by  force  of  industry  and  native  vigor 
of  mind.  For  several  successive  sessions  he  represent- 
ed Brooke  County,  in  the  Virginia  Legislature;  and 
there,  distinu:uishod  himself  as  well  bv  the  soundness  of 
Irs  views  as  by  his  commmding  eloquence. 

In  1828,  he  was  elected  to  Congress  after  a  hotly 
contested  canvass,  took  his  seat,  March  4tli.  1829,  at 
the  beginning  of  Gen.  Jackson's  first  administration, 
to  which  he  was  opposed,  voting  with  the  majority,  for 
the  recharter  of  the  United  States  Bank — the  absorbing 
issue  of  the  day.  Near  the  end  of  his  term,  June,  1832, 
lie  died  suddenlv,  and  lies  interred  in  the  congression- 
ttl  burying  ground  at  Washington  City.  He  left  a  wid- 
ow and  ten  children. 

He  was  but  a  poor  financier,  and  left  little  else  to  his 
heirs  except  his  memory, which  is  idolized  by  his  fami- 
ly and  embalmed  in  the  hearts  of  his  many  warm 
friends  and  admirers. 

In  this   connection   it  may   be  well  enough  to   give 


CIVIL    niSTORY, 


27  o 


Bome  history  of  the  Wellsburg  arul  Washington  Turn  - 
pike,  which  was  originally  intcndoJ,  if  not  to  take  tlu; 
pla.e  of  that  portion  of  the  National  road  extending 
from  Washington  to  Wliecling,  at  least  to  <livcrt  at 
the  former  place  some  portion  of  tlie  s'rcani  of  travel 
in  the  direction  of  Wellsburg.  It  is  a  contemporarv  of 
the  Cnmborland  road,  and  is  one  of  the  verv  oldest 
macadamised  roads  west  of  the  Allegheny  mountains 
The  original  charter  was  passed  in  INOS.  It  commen 
ces  in  rather  grandiloquent  «tyle  by  reciting  ihat  it  "is 
contemplated  to  build  a  continuous  highway  from  tlm 
city  of  Philadelphia  and  from  the  *l\>tomac'  river,  to 
<^harlcstow-n,  to  intersect  the  Federal  Highway  from  the 
Potomac  to  the  Ohio,  at  some  point,  between  Wasli- 
ington  and  Brownsville,  Pa.  Books  of  subscription 
were  authorised  to  be  opened  and  Col.  James  Marshall, 
Oliver  Brown,  Moses  Congleton,  John  Connel,  N.  P. 
Tilinghast  and  James  Perry  were  named  commissioners. 
The  capital  si,ock  was  to  be  81'T,00U,  divided  into 
shares  of  850  each  and  it  was  specially  provided,  thac 
all  excess  of  profit  over  I. 'i  per  cott,  v:as  to  be  applied 
as  a  sinking  fund  for  paying  back  the  stock  of  the  road. 
Nothing,  however,  appcans  to  hav^e  been  done  unler  thn 
charter  until  about  the  time  when  the  National  iJoad 
had  come  into  such  bad  repute  for  the  want  of  re|>airs, 
that  there  was  a  prospect  of  its  abandonment  from 
Washington  to  Wheeling.  The  possibility  of  the 
Wellsburg  route  being  adopted  in  that  case,  encourageil 
the  corporators  again  to  open  their  books.  Col.  James 
Marshall  a  man  of  great  enterprise  and  public  spirit 
appears  to  have  been  particularly  active.  About  the 
year  1825,  slock  was  subscribed  and  the  route  surveyed 
aad  tho  road  actually  put  under  contract.     Considerabb 


I 


276 


CIVIL    HISTORY. 


work  was  done  on  it.but  public  opinion  was  too  strong- 
ly in  favor  of  the  Wheeling  route;  the  Pennsylvpniaits 
failed  to  second  the  efforts  of  their  Virginia  neighbors 
nnd  on  the  event  of  the  road  being  finally  confirmed  to 
Wheeling  as  stated  above,  the  project  was  almost  aban- 
doned in  despair.  The  road  languished  for  some  years 
afterwards,  but  was  gradually  put  into  good  condition 
and  although  the  original  design  was  a  failure,  and  the 
15  per  cent  profit  was  never  realized,  still  it  has  been 
of  incalculable  benefit  in  opening  up  the  section  of  coun- 
try i'  ttraverses  and  affording  a  convenient  outlet  to  the 
river  for  the  western  half  of  Washington  county. 

The  National  Road    was   finally  relinquished  to  the 
States  in  1836,  after  having   cost  the  country  some 
$7,500,000,  in  its   construction  and    support.     Just 
previous  to  this  final  relinquishment,  the  sum  of  8300, 
000  was  appropriated  to  put  it  in  good  repair  east  of  the 
Ohio,  with  the  understaniiing  that  after  its  relinquish- 
ment, the  general  government  was  to  be  released  from 
all  further  obligation  on  its  account.    Since  that  time  it 
has  been  gradually  falling  into  disuse.     Railroads  have 
changed  the  courses  of  trade,  and  the  manner  of  travel. 
The  rumbling  lines  of  coaches,  that  used  to  career  along 
its  dusty  stretches,  have  disappeared,   with  their  army 
of  Jehus;  the  ponderous  roadsters  have  "gone  to  rack," 
grass  growson  the  road  bed,  and  the  villages  and  tav- 
ern stands  that  lined  the  road  and   lived  off  its  drop- 
pings have  fallen  into  decay.     The  National  Road  has 
had  its  day,  and  now  does  menial  service  as  a  country 
road   for    neighborhood     accommodation.      It  was  a 
magnificent  conception  at  the  time,  and  answered  a  mag- 
nificent end.     It  contributed  more  than  any  other  one 
thing,   to  the   rapid  settlement  of  the  west;  and  paid 
back  with  interest,  every  dollar  aver  expended  upon  it. 


THE   WHISKEY  mSURRECTION, 


Toward  the  latter  part  of  the  last  Century,  occurred 
the  Whiskey  Insurrection — an  event,  for  the  history 
of  which,  we  have  but  little  space,  but  which  occupicii 
at  the  time  a  very  considerable  place  in  the  public  mind. 
In  the  early  days  of  the  Union,  it  was  deemed  expedi- 
ent to  lay  a  tax,  per  gallon,  on  all  home-made  spiritouH 
liquors  to  help  meet  the  pressing  exigencies  of  the  coun- 
try. The  general  murmur  thus  occasioned,  gradually 
subsided,  except  in  the  western  part  of  Pennsylvainu; 
and  the  region  generally,  of  which  we  have  been  treat- 
ing. The  Scotch  Irish  element,  was  lashed  into  rebel- 
lion by  the  attempt  to  interfere  with  their  cherished  bev- 
erage and  at  the  same  time   their  main  article  oi'  trade. 

llie^untrj  at  that  time  had  no  reliable  market  near- 
er than~New  Orleans;  and  whiskev  was  the  most  econ- 
omical  commodity  by  the  sale  of  which  the  settlers  could 
realize  money  for  their  surplus  grain.  It  was  always 
saleable,  not  very  bulky,  and  brouglit  the  leady  cash. — 
Almost  every  spring  and  clear  running  stream  hail  a 
still  by  its  side,  and  scarcely  a  farmer,  but  was  also  a 
distiller.  Grain,  for  the  ordinary  purposes  for  which 
it  is  used,  was  a  drug;  hard  money  was  very  scarce — 
12^  cts.. being  often  the  extreuie  price  for  a  bushel  of 
wheat.  The  tax  under  these  circumstances  operated  up- 
on tham  with  peculiar  hardship,  and,  accordingly,  when 
the  collectors  came  round,  their  demands  were  refused. 
Matters  progressed,  until  they  ended  in  open  mutiny. — 
July  14th,  1794,  the  insurgents,  to  the  number  of  sev- 
eral hundred,  surrounded  tl»e  dwelling  of  John  Neville, 
Inspector  of  Revenues  for  the  Fourth  Pennsylvania  dis- 
trict, seized  upon  his  papers,  destroyed  his  private  prop- 
erty, and  maltreated  and  wounded  him  and  his  serv- 
ants. The  consequence  was,  a  complaint  to  the  coun- 
ty authori'ies,  but  they  being  unable  to  protect  him,  he 
fled  the  vicinity.  David  Lenox,  the  U.  S.  Marshal, 
was  similarly  served.  A  proclamation  soon  appeared 
from  the  President  of  the  U.  S.,  cautioning  the  malcon- 
tents against  the  oonucquences  of  their. treasonable  acts, 


■STfi 


riVIL   HISTORY. 


ordorin;^  tlicni  lo  disporso  provious  to  the  1st  of  the  en- 
suing Soptcinbor,  and  providing  for  the  calling  out  of 
the  militia  for  tlio  purpose  of  cntorcing  obedience.   This 
was  at  the  instance  of  das.  Wilson,  Esq.,  associate  Jns- 
ticc,  who  notified  the  President  on  the  4th  of  Angust, 
that  combinations  then  existed  too  powerful  for  the  or- 
dinary process  of  law,  and  called  for  military  assistance. 
This  ))roc]amation  was  disregarded  by  the  Insurgents, 
and  on  the  2.">th  Sept.,  it  was  followed  by  another,  ad- 
vising them  that   troops  were  embodied  and  on  their 
march  to  the  disaffected  region;  but    still  offering  am- 
nesty to  all  disposed  to  claim  it.     The  language  of  tlio 
President  was    strong,    indignant,  yet  dignihed,   and 
backed    bv  tlio  overwhelming    force  that  rallied  to  the 
support  of  the  laws,  struck  terror  into  the  hearts  of  tho 
leaders.     They  lied  the  country  or  lurked   about  in  dis- 
gui.se,  while  their  organi/.ati(m  rapidly  melted  away,  so 
that  on  the  appi'oacli  of  the  troops,  who  numbered  15,- 
UOO  men,  accompanied  by  Washington  himself,  as  far 
us  (,'ailisle,  the  Whiskey  IJoys,  had  become  utterly  in- 
visible,    'i'he  troops,  committed  many  petty  depreda- 
tions  upon    the   property    of  the    inhabitants,   which 
were  ])romptly    iudemnilied   by  the  (Jovernment;  and 
the  Whiskev  Uebellion  was  ended  without  bloodshed, 
by  the  wise  exhibition  of  sucli  an  overwhelming  force 
as  was  .sent  out  to  suppress  it. 

Some  of  the  ringleaders  were  arrested  and  imprison- 
Ovl.  but  the  charges  were  never  p'-essed;  and  a  general 
pardon  was  extended  to  all,  with  a  few  exceptions,  on 
\\\Q  solo  condition,  that  they  would  thereafter  obey 
the  laws  as  good  citizens  should.  This  leniency  was 
wise  and  well  timed,  it  restored  many  otherwise  good 
citizens  to  their  homes  and  the  jiractice  of  industry;— 
while  it  convinced  the  disaffected,  that  the  government 
while  abundantly  able  to  coerce  obedience,  was  yet  wil- 
ling and  disposed  to  deal  fairly  and  kindly. 

A  small  body  of  troops  remained  on  the  ground  for 
b  rdiort  period  but  no  further  disturbance  occurring,  they 
were  removed,  and  the  Whiskey  Insurrection  ended. 


ADAM   POE   AND  BIG-FOOT. 


Tun  mouth  of  Tomlinson's  Run,  in  Hancock  coun- 
ty, Va.,  was  the  battle  ground  of  the  celebrated  Adam 
Poe  and  Big-foot  Indian  fight,  the  precise  location  of 
which,  has  never  been  exactly  stated  by  the  historians 
of  that  encounter.  Wo  give  this,  on  the  authority  of 
Mr.  John  Brown,  an  old  citizen,  whose  dwelling  occu- 
pies nearly  the  identical  spot,  corroborated  by  the  evi- 
dence of  many  others,  who  were  cognizant  of  the  fact 
i'rom  personal  knowledge.  Mr.  Brown,  possesses  many 
fndian  relics  and  takes  pleasure  in  pointing  out  the 
spot  and  narrating  his  recollections  of  Indian  times. — 
Some  years  ago,  he  found  under  some  rocks  a  bark  ca- 
noe, in  a  good  state  of  preservation,  which  it  requircB 
no  stretch  of  the  imagination  to  presume,  was  the  iden- 
tical one  in  which  tiie  Big-foot  brothers  crossed  the 
Ohio,  on  their  last  marauding  expedition.  The  tale  of 
the  Poe  light  has  been  so  often  and  so  well  told,  that 
we  will  not  repeat  it  here,  but  our  correspondent  givtfe 
Kome  additions  which  may  prove  interesting.  The  in- 
formation is  derived  from  Mr,  Thomas  Edgington,  for 
two  years  a  captive  among  the  Indians.  He  was  cap- 
tured, when  on  his  way  from  his  cabin  at  the  mouth  of 
Harmon's  Creek,  to  Col.  Jas.  Brown's  Fort,  to  bor- 
row of  him  a  log  chain.  The  Indians  came  suddenly 
upon  him,  made  signs  to  him  to  surrender,  but  essay- 
ing to  escape  by  running,  he  was  mired  in  the  creek, 
and  they  took  him  prisoner,  hurrying  him  with  them 
over  the  river  and  on  to  the'Indian  Towns,  i^imon  (iir- 
ty  happened  at  the  towns  afterwards  and  through  him, 
he  ascertained  that  the  Indian,  whose  prize  he  was,  waa 
no  other  than  the  surviving  brother  of  the  Big-foot  fight 
— bearing  on  his  hand  the  scar  of  a  severe  wound,  there 
received.  The  Indian  stated,  that  on  finding  himself  dis- 
abled by  this  wound,  he  stole  away  from  the  fight  and 
swimming  the  river  hid  in  the  bushes  until  dark.  He 
then  constructed  a  raft  recrossed  the  river,  and  recov- 
ering the  bodies  of  his  slain  brothers,  except  that  of  tli* 
one  who  floated  off,  as  narrated  by  the  whites,  he  con- 


280 


CIVIL   BT^TORY. 


reyed  them  to  the  Ohio  side  and  there  interred  them-. 
He  then,  being  wounded  and  the  laet  of  five  stout  broth- 
ers, took  up  his  sorrowful  way  back  to  his  tribe,  where 
their  deaths  were  sorely  lamented  for  many  days. 

Mr.  Edgington  paid  a  high  tribute  to  Iit^ian  virtue 
in  hi«  description  of  this  warrior.  According  to  his  ac- 
count he  was  the  "noblest,  best  man — the  man  of  the 
best  principle^  he  ever  knew — white,  black  or  red." 
Sometimes  the  other  Indians  would  impose  upon  the 
captive.  His  master  would  pat  him  on  the  back  to  en- 
courage him  to  fight,  and  would  applaud  his  ma  nly  re- 
sistance. Sometimes  when  they  would  double  on  him, 
his  captor  would  interfere  with  knife  and  hatch  et,  and 
cut  and  slash  right  and  left.  He  would  share  w  ith  him 
his  blanket  and  robe,  giving  Edgington,  the  largest 
share,  and  divide  with  him  his  last  morsel  of  meat. 

Edgington,  was  finally  released  and  returned  home 
after  a  two  year's  captivity,  but  always  held  in  grateful 
remembrance  his  kind  hearted*  Indian  master. 

Mr.  Brown,  communicates  another  incident  in  Indian 
history,  foi'  which,  we  regret  we  have  not  space: 


1 


